Biotin (Vitamin H) |
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Basic Information
Biotin is also called vitamin H.
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? No
Prescription required? No
Fat-soluble or water-soluble: Water-soluble
NATURAL SOURCES
Brewer's yeast
Brown rice
Bulgur wheat
Butter
Calves' liver
Cashew nuts
Cheese
Chicken
Eggs
Green peas
Lentils
Mackerel
Meats
Milk
Oats
Peanuts
Soybeans
Split peas
Sunflower seeds
Tuna
Walnuts
REASONS TO USE
Helps formation of fatty acids.
Facilitates metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates.
Promotes normal health of sweat glands, nerve tissue, bone
marrow, male sex glands, blood cells, skin, hair.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Cures baldness.
Alleviates muscle pain.
Cures dermatitis.
Alleviates depression.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
People who consume huge quantities of raw eggs, which contain
a compound that inhibits biotin. Cooking eggs destroys this
compound and eliminates the problem.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Babies:
Dry scaling on scalp and face
Adults:
Fatigue
Depression
Sleepiness
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Muscular pains
Loss of muscular reflexes
Tongue becomes smooth and pale
Hair loss
Blood-cholesterol levels increase
Anemia
Skin disorders
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
None available, except for experimental purposes.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
Estimated Safe Intake |
| 0-6 months |
35mg/day |
| 6-12 months |
50mg/day |
| 1-3 years |
65mg/day |
| 4-6 years |
85mg/day |
| 7-10 years |
120mg/day |
| 11+ years |
100-200mg/day |
What this vitamin does:
Biotin is necessary for normal growth, development and health.
Miscellaneous information:
Intestinal bacteria produce all the biotin the body needs, so
there is no substantial evidence that normal, healthy adults
need dietary supplements of biotin.
Available as:
Tablets or capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid.
Don't chew or crush. Take with or immediately after food to
decrease stomach irritation.
A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
No specific precautions.
Consult your doctor if you have:
No specific precautions.
Over age 55:
No specific precautions.
Pregnancy:
No specific precautions.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
No specific precautions.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
None expected.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of vitamin.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Supplements in amounts suggested by manufacturers on the label
are non-toxic.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin, and consult
doctor.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
None expected.
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Antibiotics (broad spectrum) |
Destroys "friendly" bacteria |
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in intestines that produce |
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biotin. This can lead to |
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significant biotin deficiency. |
| Sulfonamides |
Destroys "friendly" bacteria |
|
in intestines that produce |
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biotin. This can lead to |
|
significant biotin deficiency. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental
biotin.
Foods
Eating large quantities of RAW EGG WHITES may cause
biotin deficiency. Egg whites contain AVIDIN, which prevents
biotin from being absorbed into the body.
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