Biotin, or vitamin B-7, is one of the eight B vitamins, which are important nutritional supplements for many of the body's functions. Like other B vitamins, biotin is water-soluble, which means the body excretes excess amounts of this nutrient in the urine because it lacks a way to store it. Because of this, you need a steady daily supply of biotin to avoid biotin deficiency.
biotin Facts
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, biotin plays a role in the conversion of the nutrients we eat into the energy required by the cells to carry out their functions. Biotin works with enzymes called carboxylases to modulate the formation of fatty acids and sugars necessary for the generation of cellular energy. Biotin is also important in the formation of amino acids, the building blocks of the body's proteins, including DNA, which carries the genetic information of the cells. Biotin is also necessary for the processes that carry out cell growth.
Biotin Sources
Biotin deficiency is rare, because almost all foods contain some amount of biotin, and the body's daily requirement for this nutrient is relatively low. Foods with higher biotin content include raw egg yolk, peanuts and liver. Another reason biotin deficiency is relatively rare is that the intestines contain bacteria that synthesize this vitamin, some of which is absorbed in the bloodstream. Biotin is also present in multivitamin supplements. Even though it is rare, biotin deficiency can occur in people who take certain antibiotics and anti-seizure medication.
Biotin Deficiency
According to MedlinePlus, the symptoms of biotin deficiency include thinning hair with loss of hair color, a scaly rash on the face around the eyes and nose, depression, hallucinations and other changes in mental status, and tingling in the extremities. Other conditions related to biotin deficiency include high cholesterol and heart problems. People with a form of hereditary biotin deficiency also have problems with their immune system that can lead to frequent infections.
Biotin Uses
There is scientific evidence that biotin may be useful for treating seborrhic dermatitis in infants. This is an inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky yellow scales on oily areas of the skin, such as the scalp. There is some evidence that biotin may help with hair loss, the treatment of brittle nails, and controlling sugar levels in diabetics.
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