Biotin (Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H)

BIOTIN Helps produce healthy-looking hair
and nails.

Biotin is a water-soluble member of the B-complex group of vitamins and is commonly referred to as vitamin H. The biochemical acts as a carrier for carbon dioxide in the pyruvate carboxylase reaction, where biotin is linked to the epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue in the enzyme. Biotin is necessary for both metabolism and growth in humans, particularly with reference to production of fatty acids, antibodies, digestive enzymes, and in niacin (vitamin B-3) metabolism. Food sources for biotin are liver, kidney, soy flour, egg yolk, cereal, and yeast. Biotin deficiency is rare but people can become deficient through long-term use of antibiotics or by regularly eating raw egg whites.  There are suggestions that biotin is also capable of curing baldness, alleviating muscle pain and depression, and functions as a cure for dermatitis, although there is no substantial evidence for any of these claims. Biotin deficiency results in fatigue, depression, nausea, muscle pains, hair loss, and anemia. It's estimated minimum daily requirement is between 30 mcg to 300 mcg.

IMPORTANCE:

• Aids in the utilization of protein, folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and Vitamin B-12
• promotes healthy hair

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:

• extreme exhaustion
• drowsiness
• muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• depression
• grayish skin color