Benefits of Biotin
Biotin has been found to be important and helpful to the human body in a vast amount of ways. Biotin is a required vitamin for just about all organisms on earth including humans. Biotin has been found to reduce seborrheic dermatitis and eczema especially in infants. Biotin may also help with acne, brittle nails, and hair loss. Your body also needs Biotin for the metabolism of fatty acids, and for Gluconeogenesis.
Studies have found that diabetics may benefit from biotin supplementation. In studies on both insulin depenent and non-insluin dependent diabetics, biotin supplementation was shown to improve blood sugar control and help lower fasting blood glucose levels. Certain studies showed as much as a 50 percent reduction in fasting glucose. Biotin has also been found to help diabetics by preventing neuropathy, which is numbness and tingling often associated with type II diabetes.
What is Biotin?
Biotin is commonly found in a large variety of supplements due to the number of benefits it provides to the human body. Biotin is a water souluble B-complex vitamin, known as Vitamin B7 or vitamin H. Biotin is a coenzyme (binds to the protein), and helps in the metabolism of fatty acids and leucine (an amino acid) and it plays a role in Gluconeogenesis, which the body uses to keep blood sugar levels from dorpping too low.
How Your Body Uses Biotin
Your body needs Biotin for cell growth, it also needs Biotin for the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats and amino acids. Biotin is also thought to help maintain a steady blood sugar level. Your body also uses Biotin to create energy during aerobic respiration (a key way cells gain energy) and Bioti also helps in the transfer of Carbon Dioxide.
Signs of Biotin Deficiency
A facial rash, along with an abnormal distribution of facial fat are signs of Biotin Deficiency. Biotin deficiency may be hereditary and people with this may have evidence of impaired immune system function, including increased susceptibility to bacterial and funagl infections. Other signs include-
- Hair loss
- Conjunctivitis
- Dermatitis
- Depression
- Numbness and Tingling of extremities
People at Risk of Biotin Deficiency
There are a few factors that may cause a person to have a deficiency in Biotin. First off Biotin deficiency is not common in most people because it is produced in excess by intestinal bacteria, but there are some people that may be more likely to have a deficiency of Biotin.
Alcoholics have been found to be at a greater risk of Biotin Deficiency. Elderly individuals also may have a Biotin deficiency, also athletes or people that push there body to the extreme limits of physical activity. Other risks include, pregnancy and lactating women, people that have a gastrectomy, people with low levels of gastric acid in the stomach, epileptics, and smokers.
Pregnancy and Biotin Deficiency
Pregnant women are at greater risk of Biotin deficiency. This may be due to higher levels of Biotin being used. A study found that almost half of pregnant women have an abnormal increase of an acid in the body that reduces the levels of Biotin in the body.
Studies found that Biotin deficiency during pregnancy may cause congenital malformations such as a cleft palate. Infants and embryos have been found to be more sensitive to Biotin deficiency and because of this mothers with a mild case of Biotin deficiency may cause a serious consequence to their infant. The mother may not even notice any signs of symptoms of the Biotin deficiency.
Foods Containing Biotin
Biotin levels decrease when you cook or freeze these foods. That is why it may be difficult to get a good source of Biotin form foods.
- Egg Yolk (raw egg white contains a protiein that blocks Biotin absorption)
- Liver
- Yeast
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Salmon
- Soy Flour
Recommended Supplementation Levels of Biotin
Because lasck of Biotin is rare, there is no RDA or RNI amounts for it. Further research into possible needs for Biotin supplementation is still being done.
Infants and children up to 3yrs of age are recommended to take 10-20mcg per day.
Children 4-6 years of age are recommended to take 25mcg, Children 7-10 should get 30mcg.
Adolescents and Adults should get 30-100mcg of Biotin per day.
Concerns of Biotin Supplementation
No side effects have been reported with Biotin supplementation at amounts up to 200mcg. Your body is able to easily excrete Biotin through the urine because it is a water soluble vitamin.
"Recommended Products for 2011"
7 Day Acne Detox is an acne product that works towards healing acne from the inside out. This acne product helps to remove toxins from the body which allows your body to function better and reduce acne growth. 7 Day Acne Detox also contains several vitamins and minerals that help fight off acne and help in the recovery and healing of skin.
Biotin is one of the ingredients found in 7 Day Acne Detox. If taken in the right amounts Biotin can help replenish and rejuvenate the skin. 7 Day acne treatment contains a low dose of Biotin to help with the healing of the skin. Consumer reviews for 7 Day acne Detox are among the best that we have looked into, and that is why 7 Day Acne Detox is one of our top recommended products for 2011. Click here to Learn More.
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The VitaB5 serum is a topical treatment that works instantly to help smooth the skin and reduce acne from the outside in. The VitaB5 serum provides your skin with strenthening compounds to help rejuvenate the skin and reduce scares. The serum complex also works at reducing acne causing bacteria found on the upper layers of the dermis. Click here to Learn More.