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Biotin is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and fats. It is
essential in the formation of fatty acids and glucose. It is not only available in the
diet, but is also produced by the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Dietary biotin deficiency is rare, except for people that eat a lot of raw eggs,
including egg whites. Raw egg white contains a substance called avidin which binds to
biotin in the stomach, making it unavailable for absorption. Cooking eggs destroys the
avidin.
Symptoms of biotin deficiency include dermatitis, depression, hair loss, elevated blood
levels of cholesterol, loss of appetite, nausea, lethargy, muscle pain, and fatty
infiltration of the liver and hypoglycemia.
Biotin supports healthy skin, nails and hair.
Long-term antibiotic use can interfere with biotin production in the gut and may
increase the need for dietary or supplemental biotin.
Due to biotin's central role in carbohydrate metabolism, biotin is associated with
normal blood sugar control.
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