What Is Biotin?
Biotin is a water soluble, sulphur-containing member of the B complex. Biotin supplements are well known for its promotion of healthy hair and skin. Cradle cap in infants and male pattern baldness may be related to low levels of biotin. Biotin also helps the functioning of the sweat glands, bone marrow and nerve tissue.
Biotin is a cofactor for chemical reactions that occur in the cell’s engine, the mitochondria. Therefore biotin is an important vitamin in the production of fatty acids and the metabolism of food substances and B vitamins.
How Do B Vitamins Work?
All of the B vitamins work together and are best used by the body in a B complex, which is why many B complex supplements include a small dose of biotin in them. If additional supplementation of biotin is needed it should be taken in addition to a good B complex.
Most B vitamins are water-soluble and any extra from large doses is flushed out of the body easily; therefore, it's best to take lower dosages of a B complex supplement several times a day than one larger dose. Spray or sublingual forms of B vitamins are easily absorbed, as are capsules - if your digestion is healthy, then the tablet form is usually suitable for most people.
Important Information About Taking Biotin Supplements
The absorption of biotin is inhibited by the consumption of raw egg whites because the egg protein avidin binds to biotin in the intestine. Rancid fats or oils, antibiotics, sulfa drugs, estrogen, alcohol, food processing and saccharin also inhibit the use of biotin in the body.
