Can biotin supplements really strengthen nails or improve hair? Can other supplements help?

Lots of information on nails, but I'm losing a lot of hair and am desperate
to hear about fixes for HAIR loss. Thanks so much.

I have been taking biotin and collagen for 3 months and my nails are so strong. I have now read that biotin may interfere with some blood tests, so I am going to finish this bottle, then just take collagen. I will keep a log as of 9/19/23

I find that 1500 mg of MSM is helpful in keeping my nails in good shape. I once stopped taking it for about a year, but had to resume because my nails began splitting/flaking.

Udo's Oil 3-6-9 Blend was a big help in stopping brittle cracking nails.

if a vitamin has lead. How many mcg of lead per pill is safe?

Perhaps more than one mineral is needed for strong nails. In my case, adding magnesium to my diet was the answer to my brittle nails. It also totally stopped my migraines.

My dermatologist started me on Genadur, which is applied like a nail polish at night. It absorbs into the nail. My nails were heavily damaged from acrylic nails but now they look great. The only problem is the price which is about $300 per bottle— outrageous. It’s a prescription that isn’t covered by insurance. It lasts about six months. I figured I spent that much on manicures with the fake nails in six months so it’s a trade off. I now have healthy nails which makes me happy.

My husband had very thin and brittle nails. Our doctor offered no advice saying that some people just have brittle nails. A friend suggested we read the book, "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You", which prompted him to start taking Betaine HCl with high protein meals. From what we've read, as we age our bodies produce less and less stomach acid which makes it difficult for the body to digest and absorb protein. Betaine HCl aids that digestion. His nails are quite normal now.

Hi, which enzymes do you take, please? Can you share the brand, please?

I used to have thin brittle nails years ago. I started using multi enzymes along with other supplemments. My nails grew very strong within 3 months. I didn't know why this was happening and thought my particular vitamins were the cause. I quit taking the enzymes and my nails became thin again. I have been taking them for years now, and have switched brands many times. My nails are still very strong and grow rapidly and I break a nail maybe once or twice a year. I have to cut them back about every 2 to 3 weeks. I believe that we are not getting the nutrition from our food because of lack of enzymes among other reasons. I recommend them to everyone.

After RNY gastric bypass, my nails were incredibly soft and broke constantly. I tried biotin which helped somewhat. After I added vitamin K2 my nails fairly rapidly went back to their normal strong condition. At some point I tried cutting the dose in half (because of high cost). My nails became softer and more breakable. I am now taking the higher dose again and my nails are great.

I have found consistent use of Bone Restore formula by Life Extension makes my nails stronger. Without the mineral formula my nails become soft and thin with constant tears and splits. I only use 1/2 of the recommended daily dose (I use 2 capsules/dose=4). That equates to only 350 mg supplemental calcium (in a couple different forms), along with added D, magnesium, boron, K, zinc, manganese and silicon. I also have teeth sensitivity, and this formula prevents that as well. I have used straight calcium for my teeth in the past, but this formula is much better overall and makes a notable difference in the nails, and possibly hair as well.

I have been taking Omega 3 for years. Besides lowering my triglycerides it also strengthen
my nails.

I added vitamin K to my supplements a few months ago because I read it helps send the calcium to the bones. I can't tell how that is working but my nails are stronger and longer than they have ever been. They used to break all the time.

I've had nail problems as well as micro cuts near the nail during the winter months. The one thing that has helped is vitamin C. I take 240 mg daily of Nutrigold organic whole food vitamin c gold. I was taking 4000 mg of Costco vitamin C but it didn't do the job. Nails are strong and no more of those painful little cuts in the winter. Go figure. Heard this tip on a radio show on supplements.

A friend with some anxiety would peel the nail with his fingers or teeth when nervous (had done so since a child). He had used BioSil for some years; but, quit last year. He noticed this winter that his nails would split in odd directions and never across; but usually down in the center (I have a photograph if needed for proof). After 30-45 days use of BioSil (one "000" capful daily), his nails returned to normal. He still has the occasional anxiety...

I agree with Ann 15413 comments about BioSil. I think it is actually doing something with my hair and fingernails. My wrinkles haven't disappeared nor has my skin seemed more elastic (how would I know?) but my nails and hair seem to have accelerated in growth and strength after 45 days of taking 2 BioSil capsules per day. I've been told the silica source is sand... odd. I'll keep trying it for about a year and see if this just wasn't a coincidence. I wasn't taking this to correct a problem, so I haven't 'cured' any ailment. Their claim is that it promotes your body to create its own collagen.

I have taken MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) for years because it strengthens my nails. About 4 years ago, I stopped because I thought it was just another false claim by the snake oil industry. Lo, my nails began to split and weaken. So after a one-year hiatus, I resumed. Nails are once again strong. Not very scientific, I know, but that's been my experience. I have no financial ties to any business that markets or manufactures MSM.

I've been taking collagen supplements for over a year now. Prior to that my nails were so soft and brittle that I never was able to grow them out. Since taking collagen they have become hard as rocks and grow so fast that I have to file them down every few days. I take collagen one, two and three.

FWIW I went on a low carb hi fat (LCHF) diet last Feb and have had no brittle nails since. Recently just let my fingernails grow to see what would happen. They got to the longest I have ever experienced, and I finally had to trim them because they were getting in the way. Age spots have also begun to fade.

I had brittle nails for years until I started taking 400mg magnesium daily. It also cured my lifetime of migraines.

I have found that BioSil (I use the drops) has made a great difference in the strength of my fingernails. I am a skeptic about manufacturers' claims, but in this case I "came to scoff and stayed to pray". Maybe it' s not a solution for everyone, but the label suggests that different doses can affect nails, hair, and bones. It's Choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid , manufactured by Natural Factors.

I've never taken collagen or any supplement for my joints or fingernails but here's a personal anecdote for everyone (Vegetarians or vegans might not appreciate this story as much):
I noticed that after eating the edible parts of chicken bones, from roasted chicken or the like, that within about two weeks my finger and toenails were appreciably stronger, I'd not sure if they grew more rapidly but that is quite possible as well.
(By the "edible parts" I mean mostly the "knuckles", and I of course prefer organic meats, especially when things like this are concerned; organ meats, bone, bone marrow, all places where it would seem that toxins would build up.)
I considered taking some supplements recently because of a nagging joint issue but I'm reading the label there was so much shellfish involved I shied away because I might have recently developed a sensitivity to those, I wonder if anyone else has experience with those supplements glucosamine, collagen etc.