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Biotin |
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Biotin is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and fats. It is essential in the formation of fatty acids and glucose. It is not only available in the diet, but is also produced by the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract. Dietary biotin deficiency is rare, except for people that eat a lot of raw eggs, including egg whites. Raw egg white contains a substance called avidin which binds to biotin in the stomach, making it unavailable for absorption. Cooking eggs destroys the avidin. Symptoms of biotin deficiency include dermatitis, depression, hair loss, elevated blood levels of cholesterol, loss of appetite, nausea, lethargy, muscle pain, and fatty infiltration of the liver and hypoglycemia. Biotin supports healthy skin, nails and hair. Long-term antibiotic use can interfere with biotin production in the gut and may increase the need for dietary or supplemental biotin. Due to biotin's central role in carbohydrate metabolism, biotin is associated with normal blood sugar control. |
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