Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Indications
Vitamin B7 (Biotin) is used for:
Biotin deficiency, tissue maintenance, healthy skin, nails & hairs, weight loss, Hairfall, premature greying, neuropathy, relief from heart problems, alopecia, Parkinson’s disease, Rett syndrome and vaginal candidiasis.
Adult Dose
The biotin, used for nutritional supplement and food labeling purposes, is 300 micrograms/day.
Doses of up to 2,500 mcg have been used safely to treat hair and nail problems.
Higher intakes have been recommended for reducing blood sugar levels in diabetics (5-15 mg/d).
Vitamin B 7 works best when combined with B-vitamins.
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Precautions
Biotin deficiency can be induced in humans by feeding them raw egg whites, which contain a protein that binds biotin and prevents its absorption. Long-term antibiotic use can interfere with biotin production in the intestine and increase the risk of deficiency symptoms, such as dermatitis, depression, hair loss, anemia, and nausea. Long-term use of anti-seizure medications may also lead to biotin deficiency. Biotin deficiency results in fatigue, depression, nausea, muscle pains, hair loss, and anemia. 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 B3) metabolism.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Vitamin B7 (Biotin) :
No side effects have been reported for biotin in amounts up to 10 milligrams a day. Like other water soluble B-vitamins, excess biotin is excreted in the urine. Even when taken in high doses (2, 500 mcg to treat hair and nail problems), there are no known side effects. In people without disorders of biotin metabolism, doses of up to 5 mg/day for two years were not associated with adverse effects.
Mechanism of Action
Biotin is necessary for the proper functioning of enzymes that transport carboxyl units and fix carbon dioxide, and is required for various metabolic functions, including gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, propionate metabolism, and catabolism of branched-chain amino acids.