Biotin is a fat-soluble substance belonging to the group of vitamin B. This vitamin is also known as vitamin B8 or vitamin H, although it is considered to belong to the group B complex.
Biotin is water soluble in both water and alcohol and has the characteristic that it does not decompose or alter when boiling the foods that contain it, such as egg yolk, organ meats, and some seeds and plants.
Biotin was discovered in the mid-twentieth century by scientists Kogl and Tonnis, who after extensive experiments managed to isolate it from the egg yolk, because this food is the one that contains it most. This vitamin owes its name to the Greek word Bios, which means life, because its functions in the body are very important for life as they help to transform carbohydrates and some lipids into glucose.
Biotin is not stored properly by the body, but intestinal bacteria are those that synthesize allowing it to be absorbed mostly by the intestines.
The main function of biotin in the organism of mammals is to serve for good cellular reproduction, because when it binds with lysine it is transformed into bioticin, which is a coenzyme that helps carry and remove the carbon dioxide from the cells. other enzymes.
A large number of foods contain biotin, especially egg yolk, the egg white on the other hand contains a substance called avidin that is antagonistic to biotin and does not allow it to be absorbed by the intestines.
That is why it is recommended to consume the egg white cooked, because being raw is that neutralizes biotin.
But what can biotin use to help me?
Although biotin deficiency is rare, there are cases where a diet rich in raw egg white can cause deficiencies of this vitamin. Also when you have a deficient diet both in animal proteins and in the fruits and vegetables that contain it.
In cases where this vitamin is lacking, the common symptoms are mild depression, chronic fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails, wrinkled or aged skin, anemia and mild mental disorders.
Biotin serves to:
• Produce healthy cells
• Metabolize fatty acids
• Improve the health and appearance of the hair
• Improve brittle nails
• Address chronic fatigue
• It serves to reduce muscle pain
• Intervenes in the production of glucose
• Type II diabetes
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Problems of mild baldness
• Help in cases of mild depression
• Facilitates the transport of carbon dioxide through the body
• Helps reduce insulin resistance
• It serves to lower stress levels
• Prevents certain deformations in pregnancy
• Help in the formation of hemoglobin
• Reduces diabetic neuropathy
Biotin is used to improve the skin, hair and nails
Currently the most popular use of biotin is in products and food supplements to improve the skin, especially nails hair loss. Biotin is involved in tissue formation and cell repair, so it is used both topically in shampoos, creams and masks to reduce mild baldness, soften the skin and strengthen the nails. In some treatments against hair loss, doses of up to 5000 mcg are used, without it being proven that this amount makes any difference, because being a water-soluble vitamin, the excess is excreted in the urine and feces.
Biotin is used in type II diabetes
The intake of biotin is related to a lower resistance to insulin, which helps patients to have more controlled their diabetes. Although biotin intervenes in the formation of glucose, it does not significantly elevate glucose levels in patients, but rather helps them to take advantage of it in energy. Another advantage of this vitamin is that it reduces neuropathic pains and mental problems such as mild depression, stress and irritability of diabetic patients.
Biotin helps repair muscles and tissues:
When transformed into a coenzyme, biotin intervenes in the homeostasis of the body, this translates into a better cellular repair, therefore the muscles, tissues and organs are repaired better.
Can I take biotin without a prescription, is there a risk of overdose?
Being a water-soluble vitamin, the surpluses are discarded in the urine and faeces, which is why there have been no significant reports of overdose of this vitamin. Generally, the normal dose is 30 mcg for adults and pregnant women, 7 mcg for babies under one year of age and 12 mcg for 25 mcg for children between 4 and 14 years old. Always under medical supervision.
Biotin is sold without a prescription, and in general there are no drug interactions, but it is not advisable to take it together with pantothenic acid because they use the same type of absorbed mechanism and are opposed.
This is an informative article and does not supply any professional medical opinion. Consult a doctor.