Biotin is a water-soluble member of the B-complex group of
vitamins and is commonly referred to as vitamin H. The biochemical acts as
a carrier for carbon dioxide in the pyruvate carboxylase reaction, where
biotin is linked to the epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue in the
enzyme. Biotin is necessary for both metabolism and growth in humans,
particularly with reference to production of fatty acids, antibodies,
digestive enzymes, and in niacin (vitamin B-3) metabolism. Food sources
for biotin are liver, kidney, soy flour, egg yolk, cereal, and yeast.
Biotin deficiency is rare but people can become deficient through
long-term use of antibiotics or by regularly eating raw egg whites.
There are suggestions that biotin is also capable of curing baldness,
alleviating muscle pain and depression, and functions as a cure for
dermatitis, although there is no substantial evidence for any of these
claims. Biotin deficiency results in fatigue, depression, nausea, muscle
pains, hair loss, and anemia. It's estimated minimum daily requirement is
between 30 mcg to 300 mcg.
- Aids in the utilization of protein, folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and Vitamin B-12
- promotes healthy hair
- extreme exhaustion
- drowsiness
- muscle pain
- loss of appetite
- depression
- grayish skin color
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