Biotin

Function:
Biotin is required for proper metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Biotin-dependent enzymes catalyze the addition of carboxyl groups (COO-) from bicarbonate, for use in fatty acid biosynthesis, gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, propionate metabolism, and leucine catabolism.

Deficiency Symptoms:
Symptoms of biotin deficiency include erythematous exfoliative dermatitis, thinning hair, fatigue, irritability, mild depression, somnolence, muscle pains, anorexia, nausea, mild anemia. Infants with seborrheic dermatitis, Leiner's disease or alopecia may indicate a biotin deficiency, along with symptoms of ketoacidosis, poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy, coma, and developmental retardation. Dietary symptoms include fatigue, dry skin, body hair loss, nausea, loss of appetite, and mild depression.

Those at risk for biotin deficiency include: persons consuming excessive amounts of raw egg whites, inherited disorders of biotin metabolism, extended total parenteral nutrition (biotin-free), loss of enteric gut microflora from antibiotic therapy or altered gut motility, pregnant and lactating women, antiepileptic drug therapy, alcoholics, trauma (burns and surgery), elderly, malabsorption (especially achlorhydria).

Repletion Information:
Dietary intake of foods rich in Biotin should be increased. Do not eat raw egg whites.

nutritional supplements
egg yolks
royal jelly
rice bran
fish
liver
nutritional yeast
legumes
whole grains

The estimated adequate daily dietary intake for biotin is 30-100 mcg for adults. No adverse effects have been noted in humans ingesting up to 2000 mcg daily for long time periods.