What is
Biotin?
Biotin, or Vitamin B7, is
used in the body in cell growth, the
production of fatty acids, metabolism
of fats, and amino acids. It plays a
role in the process in which energy is
generated during aerobic respiration.
Biotin is also helpful in maintaining a
steady blood sugar level.
It is also found in many cosmetic and
health products for the hair and skin
as it can be useful in strengthening
hair and nails.
Deficiency is extremely rare, as
intestinal bacteria generally produce
in excess of the body's daily
requirement. For that reason, statutory
agencies in many countriesÂ
do not prescribe a recommended daily
intake.
Hair loss
Biotin supplements
are often recommended as a natural
product to counteract the problem of
hair loss in both children and adults.
There are, however, 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. Some
shampoos are available that contain
biotin, but it is doubtful whether they
would have any useful effect, as biotin
is not absorbed well through the
skin.
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
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.
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