Biotin '"What Are Its Benefits?

Biotin is a water soluble vitamin and a member of the B complex vitamin group. Biotin, also called vitamin B7 or vitamin H, plays an important role in metabolism. It is vital for the growth of hair and nails. It may also be effective for lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic patients and may help in treating the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, suffered by some patients with diabetes. Biotin may be obtained from dietary sources or as a supplement. Supplements should be taken with the advice and supervision of your health care provider.

Biotin and Metabolism
According to Drugs.com, biotin is needed for the metabolism of amino acids, the building block of protein as well as the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Biotin is also vital for the helping to produce energy by forming fatty acids and glucose.

Enhances the Growth of Hair and Nails
Beautiful hair and nails are signs of good health and add to your personal attractiveness. Biotin is beneficial for strong nails and hair. There is preliminary evidence to support the positive effect of biotin in improving the strength of brittle finger and toe nails, hair that is thinning and has split ends. It may also help to fight hair loss when combined with zinc or topical clobetasol propionate, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Effects on Diabetes
Preliminary evidence suggests that biotin may benefit patients with severe diabetes suffering from the symptoms of tingling, numbness, pain and muscle weakness of peripheral neuropathy. This is caused by nerve damage, a complication of uncontrolled glucose levels in patients with diabetes. When biotin is combined with chromium it may also help to control high glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Sources
Food sources rich in biotin include liver and kidney, salmon, sardines and eggs and dairy products. Soy beans, whole grain cereals, and peanuts, almond, pecans and walnuts are also rich sources of biotin. Other good sources of biotin are cauliflower and mushrooms, beans and legumes and carrots as well as bananas. Biotin is also available in some multivitamins or as standard biotin in tablet form of 10 mcg, 50 mcg and 100 mcg. Biotin is also available in capsule form.

Biotin Deficiency
Although biotin deficiency is a rare occurrence, it may affect individuals who have been treated with intravenous nutrition over a long period of time or those with mal-absorption syndromes. It may also affect individuals treated with long term anticonvulsant or antibiotic medications. Symptoms of biotin deficiency include, dry and scaly skin, hair loss, dry eyes, loss of appetite, insomnia, fatigue and depression as well as high cholesterol levels in the blood and heart problems.



http://www.drugs.com/cons/biotin.html

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-h-000342.htm

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69137.cfm