Biotin is a part of the B-vitamin complex and is required for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fatty acids. Biotin deficiency is an uncommon vitamin deficiency, as it is provided in adequate amounts by the intestinal bacteria and is not required in the diet by healthy individuals. Biotin deficiency can result from ingesting large amounts of raw egg whites, improper intravenous feeding without supplementation and rare genetic disorders. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss, facial rashes, lethargy, numbness or tingling in the extremities and even depression.
Step 1
Evaluate your diet, and eliminate raw eggs that may be contained in foods, such as raw cookie dough. Prolonged consumption of raw egg whites may result in biotin deficiency through the action of the glycoprotein avidin which can bind to biotin and prevent it from being absorbed by the body. However, properly cooking egg whites destroys bacteria and inhibits avidin from interfering with biotin metabolism.
Step 2
Consider a multivitamin or an individual B-vitamin complex supplement. The U.S. Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine recommends a daily adequate intake of 300mg for pregnant women and adults over the age of 19 and 250mg for individuals who are 14 to 18 years of age.
Step 3
Consult with a pharmacist or a physician, regarding the possible interactions of medications and antibiotics you are taking. Broad spectrum antibiotics can disrupt the healthy bacteria within the intestinal tract where biotin is synthesized. Also, according to MedlinePlus, anti-seizure medications, such as phenytoin primidone, have been linked to reduced blood levels of biotin.
Step 4
Be aware of the effects of biotin deficiency if you are pregnant. Inadequate amounts of biotin during pregnancy may increase the risk for birth defects. A study published in a 2002 edition of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reported that up to 50 percent of pregnant women may be biotin deficient. Take a prenatal vitamin or consume dietary sources of biotin, such as cauliflower, Swiss chard, cooked eggs, almonds and walnuts.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Biotin
- MedlinePlus: Biotin (Vitamin H)
- U.S. Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes: Recommended Intakes for Individuals
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Marginal Biotin Deficiency During Normal Pregnancy; Donald M. Mock, J. Gerald Quirk and Nell I. Mock; February 2002
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