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vitamin A Vitamin B complex vitamin C vitamin D vitamin E vitamin K
vegetables and fruits are good sources
Vitamin B7 (Biotin) is water soluble and is one of the eight vitamins in the B-complex group.
Earlier biotin was named as vitamin H.
For most of the biological reactions in the cells, biotin is necessary.
Though biotin is necessary for all organisms it can be produced by yeasts, algae,
bacteria and a few plant species only.
Vitamin B7 is very necessary for the metabolic processes of amino acids and fats,
for the growth of body cells, for the fatty acid metabolism and for the synthesis of glucose.
Citric acid cycle process generates biochemical energy in
aerobic respiration.
Biotin assists these reactions and helps in the transfer of carbon dioxide.
Vitamin B7 helps in maintaining steady levels of
blood
sugar.
Biotin is believed to have a role in the synthesis, release and the circulation of
insulin.
Type 2 diabetes patients were found to have low serum levels of biotin and it is believed that
biotin can reduce the risk factor.
Biotin in higher doses has been found to treat brittleness of the fingernails.
High doses of biotin is believed to prevent and treat hair loss in women and men.
Because of this nature biotin is used in many skin and hair care
preparations.
Deficiency
In case of severe deficiency loss of hair on the head, eye brows and eye lashes has been reported.
This can be rectified by taking fairly high doses of biotin.
The white of the
raw egg contains a protein called
avidin which by binding itself to biotin makes it ineffective.
Excessive and prolonged consumption of the white of the raw eggs can cause biotin deficiency.
However avidin gets deactivated in cooking.
Cradle cap, a form of
dermatitis in infants is caused by vitamin B7 deficiency.
In biotin deficiency adults may get seborrheic dermatitis all over the body.
Muscle cramps, seizures, loss of muscle tone, lack of muscle coordination, hair loss
and muscle pain are some of the symptoms of biotin deficiency.
Toxicity
Taken at high doses biotin usually does not show toxicity.
There may be irritation of the stomach and dermatitis in rare cases.
Sources
Biotin is present in most of the food, but in lower concentrations when compared to other B vitamins.
Good sources of vitamin B7 include egg yolk, yeast, liver, milk, berries, walnuts,
almonds, tomatoes, onions and cabbage.
