Biotin Health Article

Extreme deficiency

Symptoms of extreme biotin deficiency include elevation of cholesterol levels, heart problems, and paralysis. When extreme deficiency is a problem, the liver may not be able to detoxify the body efficiently, and depression may develop into hallucinations. Infants may exhibit developmental delay and lack of muscle tone.

Biotin deficiency could result in a loss of immune function, since animal experiments have shown that biotin deficiency resulted in a decrease in white blood-cell function. Because biotin is essential to the body's metabolic functions, any deficiency could result in impaired metabolism as well.

Overdose

There have been no reports of effects of overdose of biotin, even at very high doses, primarily because any excess is excreted in the urine.

Side effects

There are no side effects associated with biotin supplementation.

Interactions

Biotin works in conjunction with all the B vitamins, which are synergistic, meaning they work best when all are available in adequate amounts.

Raw egg white contains the protein avidin, which prevents absorption of biotin.

Sulfa drugs, estrogen, and alcohol all increase the amount of biotin needed in the body. In addition, anticonvulsant drugs may lead to biotin deficiency. Long term use of antibiotics may prevent the synthesis of biotin in the gut by killing off the bacteria which help the body produce biotin. Supplements of lactobacillus may help the body make sufficient amounts of biotin after long term antibiotic use.

BOOKS

Kenton, Leslie. The Joy of Beauty. Great Britain: Century Publishing Co Ltd., 1983.

Trowbridge, John Parks, and Morton Walker. The Yeast Syndrome. New York: Bantam Books, 1986.

PERIODICALS

"Biotin Deficiency in Pregnancy. (Nutrition and Pregnancy)." Nutrition Research Newsletter (April 2002): 9–11.

Gaby, Alan R. "Biotin Needed During Pregnancy." Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients (June 2002): 31.

"Nutrition 21 to Test Chromium/Biotin Combo in Diabetes." Nutraceuticals International (May 2002).

OTHER

"Vitamins, etc." [cited August 1, 2000] <http://www.bookman.com.au/vitamins/biotin.html>.

Patricia Skinner

Teresa G. Odle