Biotin DESCRIPTION: Biotin is the eighth and final true B vitamin that was first discovered as the factor that protected against the toxicity of raw egg whites. Subsequently, a biotin-binding factor was found in egg white - the effect of which was overcome by adding biotin to the diet. FUNCTIONS Like many of the other B vitamins, biotin is involved in the intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, energy and fats. It is of central importance in lipogenesis (fat manufacture), gluconeogenesis (glycogen manufacture) and branched chain amino acid metabolism. DEFICIENCY Biotin deficiency is rare in human adults except in those who have consumed large amounts of raw eggs. The symptoms then show themselves as fine scaly Dermatitis and hair loss. More extreme experimental depletion of biotin leads to anorexia, nausea, Depression and hallucinations. All these symptoms are reversible upon injection of biotin. Biotin deficiency is more common in babies and leads to the Skin conditions seborrhoeic Dermatitis and desquamating erythroderma (Leiner’s disease). Back to Top   REQUIREMENTS Upper safe level for daily supplementation = 0.5mg Recommended Daily Allowance = 0.15mg Back to Top   SUPPLEMENTAL USES Biotin may give relief to those with seborrhoeic Dermatitis and Leiner’s disease (1). Biotin supplements are sometimes recommended to Candida albicans sufferers because it is thought that biotin may prevent Candida from changing into its invasive fungal form. Biotin has also been shown to be of value in the treatment of brittle fingernails, Acne, hair fragility and alopecia (2). Back to Top   SAFETY Biotin has been administered to infants in dosages of up to 40 mg without side effects, and is regarded as a perfectly safe vitamin even at extremely high levels. Back to Top   INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin and primidone) may increase the requirements for biotin (2). Back to Top   FOOD SOURCES Food (mg/100g) Brewer’s yeast 0.08 Pig’s kidney 0.032 Yeast extract 0.027 Pig’s liver 0.027 Wheat bran 0.014 Eggs, cooked (each) 0.012 Wheatgerm 0.012 Chicken 0.010 Bread, wholemeal 0.006 Lamb 0.006 Fish, fatty 0.005 Carrots 0.003 Cheese 0.002 Milk 0.002 REFERENCES: 1. Soini Y et al. Aberrant accumulation of p53 associates with Ki67 and mitotic count in benign Skin lesions. Br J Dermatol, 131;4:514-520, 1994. 2. "Handbook of Dietary Supplements", Pamela Mason, Blackwell Science, 1995. Back to Top   Related News Stories   Biotin and the developing foetus The importance of biotin in a developing foetus   Back to top