Nutritional Imbalance: Low Biotin

background info | recommendations

Biotin is considered part of the B-complex family. Biotin deficiencies cause problems in three major areas -- the immune system, nerves and muscles, and hair and skin. That is because biotin is a crucial part of several human enzyme systems -- enzymes that control such critical functions as white blood cell activity, protein manufacture, fatty acid manufacture and metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and sugar metabolism.

In the 1930s, the first biotin deficiencies were induced in animals accidentally by feeding the animals a diet rich in uncooked egg whites. It was discovered later that raw egg whites contain a substance that destroys naturally occurring biotin, both in food and in body tissues, while cooked egg whites do not contain the substance. The animals lost their fur and suffered weight loss and paralysis. Unfortunately, before the cause of the problem was discovered and corrected, some died.

Serious biotin deficiencies are rare but since biotin is synthesized by bacteria in the intestines, a deficiency may occur after taking antibiotics, which destroy intestinal bacteria. Also, some people have an inherited disorder that increases their need for biotin.

Biotin Recommendations:

Foods are your best sources of all nutrients. If your chart shows deficiencies of a biotin deficiency, increase your intake of biotin-rich foods, take a good multivitamin/mineral capsule or a B-complex tablet with biotin included daily (with a meal) and follow all recommendations to improve your digestion.

Eat more biotin-rich foods like eggs (cooked), mushrooms, walnuts, almonds, cauliflower, peanuts, whole wheat, tomatoes, raspberries, wheat bran, wheat germ, brown rice, lentils and soybeans.