Proteins are in every body part. They are also short-lived substances that need replacement consistently. That is why it is important that you include protein sources in your meals daily. Biotin is another nutrient you need to remain healthy. When you ingest too much of a protein called avidin, you can cause a biotin deficiency. In that case, you may need supplementation, but wait to start on biotin pills until your doctor prescribes them.
About Biotin
Biotin, usually grouped with the B-complex vitamins, is also known as vitamin H. Your body uses it during digestion to break carbohydrates, fats and amino acids down into particles small enough for your cells to absorb them. As a dietary supplement, biotin is associated with hair and skin health, and it appears as an ingredient in many cosmetic products. Cooked eggs, sardines, legumes, nuts, bananas, cauliflower and brewer’s yeast are sources of the nutrient. Your body is also capable of producing the vitamin. Thus, it is rare for a biotin deficiency to occur because your intake is low. The problem is usually related to your body's inability to absorb it.
About Avidin
Avidin, or streptavidin, is a protein larger than biotin present in raw egg whites. It attaches to the vitamin, preventing your body from absorbing it. According to a fact sheet posted on the website of the Biology Department at Davidson College, the bond biotin and avidin form is so strong that it becomes irreversible inside the human body. Researchers with the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden found that heating the bonded substances in water above 70 F caused them to separate. The study appeared in the journal “Electrophoresis” in February 2005. A way of replicating the petri-dish experiment result inside someone’s body remains to be devised. Until then, keep in mind that a high intake of raw egg whites leads to a high concentration of avidin in your bloodstream. The high protein level can cause a biotin deficiency. Your doctor or a nutritionist can give you guidance on how many whites are too many, though he is likely to also advise you against eating even a single raw one to prevent contracting a salmonella infection.
Biotin Deficiency Symptoms
An inadequate supply of biotin in your bloodstream leads to hair loss and skin rashes by the eyes, nose mouth and around the genitals. The deficiency can also cause neurological dysfunction that manifests as hallucinations, lethargy and depression, as well as tingling and numb extremities.
Considerations
Other medical conditions not associated with a biotin deficiency may also cause neurological problems and hair loss. Thus, if you feel unwell, refrain from self-diagnosing what is wrong -- even if you eat raw egg whites regularly -- and taking biotin supplements. Instead, report your symptoms to your doctor for her to accurately identify their cause and prescribe the treatment plan that offers the best chance of a full recovery.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Protein
- Linus Pauling Institute: Biotin
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin H (Biotin)
- Davidson College Department of Biology: Biotin and Avidin: High Affinity Binding
- Electrophoresis: The Biotin-streptavidin Interaction Can Be Reversibly Broken Using Water at Elevated Temperatures
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