Biotin is a stable B vitamin that functions in the metabolism of macronutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, and proteins. Other names for biotin include vitamin B7, vitamin H, or coenzyme R. Biotin is a coenzyme involved in the creation of nucleic acids and fatty acids. Additionally, biotin is an important factor in the creation of fats, specifically for adequate fat production in the body. Even though biotin is responsible for the production of fat, it is not stored in the fatty tissues. In fact, biotin is a water soluble vitamin, nontoxic, and excreted from the body. Low biotin intake causes an adverse effect of fat metabolism. (1).
HealthHair and nails
Biotin is often promoted by beauticians to strengthen hair and nails. However, the evidence is not sufficient
Skin
Biotin works with the other B vitamins to promote skin health. Suggestions by researchers are to use biotin supplementation to treat dermatitis, a skin rash. The skin demands fatty acids for adequate moisture and protection. Thus, a biotin deficiency causes the skin to become extremely dry (2).
Blood sugar
Biotin plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism, thus some scientists automatically think that biotin based foods help stabilize blood sugar levels. It has been proposed that low biotin levels causes an impairment in the hormone insulin. However, the evidence of biotin’s role in blood sugar regulation is limited. Research is currently being conducted on the combination of biotin and chromium supplements as potential nutrients to lower blood sugar levels. To date, there is limited evidence that biotin alone can have a benefit in blood sugars (3).
Antibiotics
The prolonged use of antibiotics can cause a low levels of biotin production. The antibiotics destroy the beneficial gut bacteria that helps produce biotin (1).
Foods
The adequate intake (AI) for adults is 30 mg per day. The requirement of biotin is minimal because the gut can actually recycle and synthesize the vitamin. Biotin is available in the food and supplement form (4).
|
Food |
Serving Size |
μg of biotin |
|---|---|---|
|
Egg |
1 boiled |
25 μg |
|
Almonds |
¼ cup |
15 μg |
|
Sweet Potato |
1 cup |
9 μg |
|
Tomatoes |
1 cup |
7 μg |
|
Whole grain bread |
1 slice |
6 μg |
|
Cauliflower |
1 cup |
4 μg |
Raw Egg Whites
The consumption of raw egg whites can lead to a deficiency of biotin. This results because of a protein called avidin that is present in raw egg whites and makes the body not able to absorb biotin. This only occurs when raw egg whites are consumed. People consuming fully cooked eggs and egg whites will not develop a biotin deficiency (5).
Biotin and Spray Drying
Biotin can be spray dried to be used in a variety of food and non food related items. Dry milk products can use spray dried biotin. Spray dried biotin can also be utilized in cosmetics and topical skin products to help moisturize the skin.
Learn More About our Spray Drying Capabilities
References
1. Kirschmann, J. D. (2007). Nutrition almanac (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
2. Mock, D. M. (1991). Skin manifestations of biotin deficiency. Seminars in Dermatology, 10(4), 296–302.
3.Type 2 Diabetes; Data: Chromium picolinate and biotin combo lowers blood sugar: [1]. Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week; Atlanta. July 2004:1034.
4. Zempleni J, Wijeratne SSK, Hassan YI. Biotin. BioFactors. 2009;35(1):36-46. doi:10.1002/biof.8.
5. Vitamin H (Biotin) | University of Maryland Medical Center. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-h-biotin. Accessed September 1, 2017.
