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Biotin

Biotin, also known as vitamin H or B7 and C10H16N2O3S (Biotin; Coenzyme R, Biopeiderm), is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin which is composed of an ureido (tetrahydroimidizalone) ring fused with a tetrahydrothiophene ring. A valeric acid substituent is attached to one of the carbon atoms of the tetrahydrothiophene ring. Biotin is important in the catalysis of essential metabolic reactions to synthesize fatty acids, in gluconeogenesis, and to metabolize leucine. more...

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General overview

Biotin is used in cell growth, the production of fatty acids, metabolism of fats, and amino acids. It plays a role in the Krebs Cycle, which is the process in which energy is released from food. Biotin not only assists in various metabolic chemical conversions, but also helps with the transfer of carbon dioxide. Biotin is also helpful in maintaining a steady blood sugar level. Biotin is often recommended for strengthening hair and nails. Consequently, it is found in many cosmetic and health products for the hair and skin.

Uses

Hair problems

Biotin supplements are often recommended as a natural product to counteract the problem of hair loss in both children and adults. However, there are no studies that show any benefit in any case where the subject is not actually biotin deficient. The signs and symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss which progresses in severity to include loss of eye lashes and eye brows in severely deficient subjects. Of note, shampoos that include biotin might be more effective if they were drunk instead of poured over the head as the absorption of biotin through the skin is limited (but drinking shampoo might cause other problems that would offset any hair growth benefit).

Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis)

Children with a rare inherited metabolic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU; in which one is unable to break down the amino acid phenylalanine) often develop skin conditions such as eczema and seborrheic dermatitis in areas of the body other than the scalp. The scaly skin changes that occur in people with PKU may be related to poor ability to use biotin. Increasing dietary biotin in the diet has been known to improve seborrheic dermatitis in these cases.

Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes often have low levels of biotin. Biotin may be involved in the synthesis and release of insulin. Preliminary studies in both animals and people suggest that biotin may help improve blood sugar control in those with diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes.

Biotin deficiency

Biotin deficiency is a rare nutritional disorder caused by a deficiency of biotin. Biotin deficiency can have a very serious, even fatal, outcome if it is allowed to progress without treatment. Signs and symptoms of biotin deficiency can develop in persons of any age, race, or gender. Biotin deficiency rarely occurs in healthy individuals, since the daily requirements of biotin are low, many foods contain adequate amounts, intestinal bacteria synthesize small amounts, and the body effectively scavenges and recycles biotin from bodily waste. However, deficiency can be caused by excessive consumption of raw egg-whites over a long period (months to years). Egg-whites contain high levels of avidin, a protein that binds biotin stongly. Once a biotin-avidin complex forms, the bond is essentially irreversible. The biotin-avidin complex is not broken down nor liberated during digestion, and the biotin-avidin complex is lost in the feces. Once cooked, the egg-white avidin becomes denatured and entirely non-toxic.

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Biotin
Biotin is a member of the B complex family, but is not actually a vitamin. It is a coenzyme that works with them. Also known as vitamin H and coenzyme R, it was first isolated and described in 1936. I
Biotin needed during pregnancy - Literature Review & Commentary - Brief Article
Twenty-six pregnant women (10 in early pregnancy [6-17 weeks] and 16 in late pregnancy [21-37 weeks]) with increased urinary excretion of 3-hydroxyisovaleric ...
Biotin deficiency in pregnancy - Nutrition and Pregnancy
It is suspected that a deficiency in biotin may be teratogenic in humans. The findings of two clinical studies suggest that a mild degree of biotin deficiency is common in normal pregnancy. Urinary
Marginal biotin deficiency during normal pregnancy - Abstract
Mock DM, Quirk JG, Mock NI. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;75:295-299. BACKGROUND: Biotin deficiency is teratogenic in several mammalian species. Approximately ...
Pharmacological effects of biotin
Pharmacological effects of biotin. Fernandez-Mejia C. J Nutr Biochem 2005;16:424-427. In the last few decades, more vitamin-mediated effects have been discovered at the level of gene expression.
FASEB - research indicates that chromium picolinate and biotin work synergistically to enhance glucose uptake - Brief Article
Chromium picolinate and biotin appear to act synergistically to enhance glucose uptake. Research, presented in April at the FASEB (Federation of American ...
Dissecting streptavidin-biotin interaction with a laminar flow chamber
ABSTRACT A laminar flow chamber was used to study single molecule interactions between biotinylated surfaces and streptavidin-coated spheres subjected ...
Carb stupid
Carb Control. Carb Conscious. Carb Counting. Every segment of the food industry wants a piece of the lower-carb market. So why shouldn't vitamin companies ...

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