Biotin, originally known as vitamin H, is one of the least well-known B-complex vitamins. It is found in small amounts in a variety of foods but can also be synthesized in the body by intestinal bacteria. It is a sulfur-containing vitamin, and the body can recycle much of the biotin it has already used. Biotin supplements are available in tablets and capsules without a prescription and may be recommended for the treatment or prevention of deficiency associated with conditions such as malnutrition, pregnancy and long-term tube feeding.
Function of Biotin
Biotin is an essential component of enzymes in the body that help metabolize proteins and break down fats for fatty acid synthesis. It plays an important role in initial stages of energy metabolism by using the sugar contained in carbohydrates. These sugars are then converted into their usable form and used by the body for energy. For people with diabetes, biotin is being investigated as a supplement to help lower blood sugar due to its ability to help the body make efficient use of sugar.
Deficiency and Toxicity
Biotin is a stable vitamin with rare occurrences of deficiencies or toxicities. Deficiency can develop in states of malnutrition or people requiring chronic nutrition support such as tube feedings or parenteral nutrition. Symptoms of deficiency include thinning of the hair, red scaly rash around the eyes, nose and mouth, depression, hallucinations and tingling and numbness in the arms and feet. Cases of toxicity have not been reported in research.
Populations at Risk for Deficiency
Certain people are at a higher risk for deficiency. According to the National Institutes of Health, people who consume raw egg whites regularly may develop a deficiency because they contain the protein avidin, which binds to biotin in the intestine, preventing it from being absorbed. Long-term nutrition-support patients who require tube feedings or parenteral nutrition can develop deficiency. Also, prolonged intake of antibiotics and certain anti-seizure medications may also lead to deficiency symptoms.
How Much Biotin is Needed?
There is no recommended daily allowance established for biotin, and a tolerable upper limit has not been defined because no toxicity is known. For adolescents and adults, the dietary reference intake is 30 mcg daily. One of the densest sources of the vitamin is found in egg yolks, but it can also be found in organ meats, tomatoes, corn, yeast, and most vegetables. The vitamin is relatively stable when processed with heat, oxygen and light, though strongly acidic conditions can denature it.
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