Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is produced naturally by the human body. It is often referred to as vitamin B7. Biotin is best known for its benefits in promoting good general health. In particular, it has been shown to reduce the risks for age-related illnesses like heart disease and cancer.
Biotin is an important part of a healthy diet. In particular, it is recommended to eat foods that are rich in this vitamin to prevent chronic diseases. Biotin supports a healthy reproductive system, promotes the growth of hair and nails, and helps to manage blood glucose levels, among other benefits. Biotin also helps prevent heart disease. And, eating lots of raw eggs on a consistent basis can lead to biotin deficiency, as raw egg whites have a form of biotin called avidin, which binds to biotin to prevent the body from taking it in.
The best way to get your recommended daily dosage of this vitamin is through consuming a good quality, daily multivitamin containing biotin. Biotin won’t be found in most vitamin supplements – they usually contain only a trace amount – so you will need to increase your vitamin intake through food sources. Some great foods to eat that are rich in biotin are liver, eggs, pecans, walnuts, carrots, parsley, ginger, soybean extract, hemp oil, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, and certain types of legumes. Since biotin is often deficient in people with low levels of the vitamin, including people undergoing chemotherapy, women who are pregnant or trying to conceive, and children between the ages of two and six, biotin should be avoided altogether in favor of a normal vitamin regimen. There are several different brands of biotin supplements available.
If you suffer from biotin deficiency and think you may have a vitamin D deficiency, a doctor may suggest you take an oral form of vitamin D called calcitriol. However, if you’ve already been told that your blood serum calcium levels are low, you probably don’t need to take a vitamin supplement to correct your problem. Instead, speak with your doctor about the possibility that your hair loss is caused by vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is linked to strong bones and teeth. However, too much vitamin D can cause a condition called osteoporosis. While not as common as vitamin D deficiency, some individuals who work in industries that produce chemicals called phthalates may experience a loss of hair.
Biotin may also be beneficial for the skin health of people who work outdoors a lot or who live in extremely hot climates. It can actually help keep skin healthy and smooth, something that is often affected by a lack of vitamin D or another deficiency. Biotin is also beneficial for hair health and maintenance. Biotin is often recommended for the skin health and strength of nails in individuals who do not get enough in their diets.
Biotin will not prevent the common side effects that occur when a person has low levels of this vitamin in their body. These side effects include peeling, dermatitis and acne. However, a biotin supplement may provide a slight benefit for these symptoms, especially in individuals with severe biotin deficiency. In these cases, a biotin/coenzyme Q10 combination cream or lotion may help to alleviate some of these symptoms. If you think that you have a vitamin D deficiency that is causing these symptoms, talk to your doctor about a biotin supplement.
Biotin has been proven effective in helping to promote weight loss and for maintenance of healthy skin, nails and hair. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that shows how this vitamin and mineral can help with a number of other common conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. For this reason, more people are including biotin in their daily diet as part of an overall plan for achieving optimal health. Biotin is available in many forms, including nutritional supplements. Biotin also works well as an oral supplement, although the absorption rate may be somewhat slower in this case. Biotin is not alone in its ability to promote weight loss, but it is one of only a few vitamins that is considered to be effective in this area.
If you are interested in achieving good hair health and strength as well as promoting healthy skin and nails, then biotin should be a topic of discussion with your medical professional. Biotin deficiency is on the rise around the world due to a variety of factors. If you think that you may be suffering from a deficiency, it is important that you learn all that you can about this important substance so that you can ensure that you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals that you need. If you are curious about which types of foods contain biotin, it is a good idea to consult your medical professional for the best advice.