| Proper name |
Biotin
(also called Coenzyme R, Vitamin Bw and Vitamin H) |
| Category |
Vitamin
(a sulfur containing B vitamin). |
| Functions |
Biotin is essential for the function of many enzyme systems involved in
carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. · Biotin works with Acetyl Co-enzyme
A to transfer carbon dioxide from one compound and attach it to another.
It also helps remove carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitorgen compounds (NH2).
In this way, Biotin assists the syntheses of some fatty acids and amino
acids and helps to form purines (elimination by-products of protein metabolism).
· Enzymes containing biotin help to liberate energy from carbohydrates and
fats. |
| RDA |
30-100 mcg per day. |
| Therapeutic
dose |
30-5,000 mcg per day |
| Deficiency symptoms |
Dry,
splitting fingernails, dry, unmanageable, thinning and graying hair, scaly
dermatitis, lesions on the nose and mouth, anorexia, nausea, depression,
cardiac irregularities, numbness and tingling in the extremities and muscle
pain. Deficiency is rare in humans due to intestinal biosynthesis. Diabetics
and persons on total parenteral feeding (feeding tube) or suffering from
chronic dysbiosis (intestinal gas, bloating and malabsorption) are the most
likely individuals to suffer from biotin deficiency. Several genetic metabolic
errors may also create biotin deficiency. |
| Toxicity |
None
known. |
| Best
forms
|
Brewer's yeast, corn, soy, egg yolk, liver, kidneys, tomatoes, milk, bananas,
grapefruit, watermelon, strawberries and peanuts. |
| Food
sources |
Green leafy vegetables such as beet greens, collard greens, etc., carrots,
peppers, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apricots, cantaloupe, peaches,
etc. |
| Lab
tests |
Microbiologic assay. |
| Drug
interactions |
Biotin
is depleted by Aminoglycoides, Carbamazepine, Cephalosporins, Chlortetracycline,
Demeclocycline, Doxycycline, Fluoroquinolones, Macrolides, Minocycline,
Oxytetracycline, Penicillins, Phenytoin, Primidone, Sulfonamides, Tetracyclines,
Trimethoprim. |
| Nutrient interactions |
Synergistic effects with other B vitamins, particularly B5. |
| Metabolism |
Biotin ingested from
food is absorbed in the proximal portion of the small intestine. Biotin
is also produced by probiotic bacterial synthesis and absorbed in the
distal portion of the small intestine. Intestinal synthesis can be disrupted
by ingestion of oral antibiotics and other drugs. Excess amounts of Biotin
are eliminated through urination.
|
|
