Biotin

Benefits: Biotin primarily aids you by: Sweat glands, bone marrow and nerve tissue are maintained at their max efficiency: Biotin acts as an essential catalyst in repairing and rebuilding cells in all organs. Specifically, it is useful for bones, blood and glands. Improving your skin: Biotin deficiency can result in acne, rashes, psoriasis and dermatitis. This can be remedied by increasing biotin intake. Aiding in weight loss by supporting your metabolism: Biotin acts as a co-enzyme in breaking down food within your body (especially carbohydrates). This effect is increased further when combined with another supplement named Chromium. As your metabolic rate is increased while at rest, food breaks down faster resulting in biotin being linked to weight loss. Lowers cholesterol: According to studies, biotin is linked with lowering cholesterol (thus reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks) in individuals. It has also been linked with reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels (which is the cholesterol largely responsible for heart attacks). Maintains/decreases blood sugar levels in diabetics: When used in conjunction with chromium picolinate, biotin has been shown to improve glycemic control in overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes. Lowers nerve damage associated with diabetes (such as numbness and tingling associated with poor glucose control): According to various reports, biotin has been linked to a reduction in peripheral neuropathy symptoms such as numbness, burning, tingling, abnormal sensations, muscle weakness and general discomfort. May aid in maintaining hair and nail growth: Studies have shown that biotin deficiency is strongly correlated with hair loss and brittle nails. Various hair and nail companies have begun using biotin in their products for this reason. Treating seborrheic dermatitis: Biotin has been linked to improving seborrheic dermatitis in individuals suffering from phenylketonuria. Therapy of palmoplantar pustulosis: Individuals with palmoplantar pustulosis have reported that increased doses of biotin have had beneficial effects in managing their symptoms. Improving the nervous system: As biotin has been found to help in the metabolism of carbohydrates, the energy from the carbs is utilized by the nervous system. This may result in benefits involving the nervous system such as: improved muscle tone, coordination and nerve health.

Is Biotin safe?: There are no adverse effects reported even after consuming extremely high doses of Biotin. Sources of Biotin: Biotin is found in a range of foods. Specifically, the following foods are known to be rich in biotin: tomatoes, carrots, liver, leafy green vegetables and swiss chard.

Recommended Daily Intake: Infants and children: Birth to 3 years of age: 10 to 20 micrograms (mcg). 4 to 6 years of age: 25 mcg. 7 to 10 years of age: 30 mcg. Adolescents and adults: 30 to 100 mcg. Pregnant women: 30mcg

Interaction: If you take any other drugs frequently, talk to your doctor before you start using biotin supplements. Biotin can weaken the effect of various cholesterol drugs and many drugs can lower biotin levels, such as antibiotics and medicine for acne. Some epilepsy drugs may also decrease biotin absorption from food. Lipoic acid may also increase the need for biotin. Eating raw egg whites on a frequent basis can also lower biotin levels. Some research suggests that consuming biotin in combination with chromium picolinate may be of some benefit to people with diabetes. Studies It was found that taking a biotin/chromium picolinate combination with anti-diabetic medication can assist in improving blood sugar levels in obese or overweight people with Type 2 Diabetes. The 2008 study found that out of 447 diabetes patients, those who were assigned to receive biotin with chromium picolinate (with their anti-diabetic medicine) rather than a placebo for 90 days experienced significantly greater improvement in blood sugar levels (compared to the placebo group). In addition to this, a 2006 study found that four week of taking the biotin and chromium picolinate combination (with anti-diabetic medicine) helped improve blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Additionally, the biotin and chromium supplements were found to reduce cholesterol levels

Pregnancy Pregnant women tend to have a high risk of biotin deficiency. Almost half of pregnant women have irregular increases of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, which represents the reduced status of biotin. Several studies have reported this possible biotin deficiency during the pregnancy may contribute to infants' congenital malformations, such as cleft palate. Mice fed with dried raw egg to induce biotin deficiency during the gestation resulted in up to 100% incidence of the infants' malnourishment. Both infants and embryos are more sensitive to the biotin deficiency. Consequently, even a mild level of the mother's biotin deficiency that does not reach the appearance of physiological deficiency signs may cause a serious consequence in the infant.

Deficiency The characteristic facial rash, together with an unusual facial fat distribution, has been termed the "biotin-deficient face" by some experts. Individuals with hereditary disorders of biotin deficiency have evidence of impaired immune system function, including increased vulnerability to both bacterial and fungal infections. Alcoholics, pregnant women, smokers and sufferers of Crohns/liver disease are most likely to suffer from a deficiency in biotin. Typical symptoms of Biotin deficiency include: - Conjunctivitis - Dermatitis - Hair loss - Mental symptoms such as depression, lethargy and hallucinations.