Biotin - what is it?
Biotin, New RDA* 50 µg
Biotin is one of the B-group vitamins and is water-soluble, which means you need it in your diet every day because it can't be stored in the body. But we only need very small amounts of biotin.
Biotin is derived from de novo synthesis by bacteria, primitive eukaryotic organisms including yeasts, moulds and algae, and some plant species.
*Sourced from EFSA WEBSITE
Biotin - what does it do?
Biotin has a number of important functions. For example it helps the body turn the food we eat into energy.
Biotin acts as an essential cofactor for the acetyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA, ß-methylcrotonyl-CoA and pyruvate carboxylase enzymes, which are important in the synthesis of fatty acids, the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids and the gluconeogenic pathway. Biotin may also have a role in the regulation of gene expression arising from its interaction with nuclear histone proteins.
Deficiency
Biotin deficiency has been observed in individuals maintained on total parenteral nutrition, people who consume large amounts of uncooked egg white, sufferers from inherent or acquired biotin malabsorption, haemodialysis patients, and individuals receiving some forms of long-term anticonvulsant therapy. Pregnancy may be associated with marginal biotin deficiency.
Signs of biotin deficiency include a fine scaly desquamating dermatitis and characteristic skin rash frequently observed around the eyes, nose and mouth, hair loss, conjunctivitis and ataxia
Biotin deficient infants show signs of hypotonia, lethargy, developmental delay and withdrawn behaviour, all of which are characteristic of a biotin deficiency-related neurological disorder. ‘Egg white injury’ may be associated with glossitis, anorexia, nausea, hallucinations, depression and somnolence.
Inherited deficiencies in biotinidase and holocarboxylase synthetase result in multiple carboxylase deficiency. These deficiencies and those of specific carboxylase enzymes may produce the same or similar disorders and manifestations of biotin deficiency.
Clinical manifestations of biotin deficiency are generally thought to result, directly or indirectly, from deficient activities of the carboxylase enzymes. Biotin deficiency has been shown to cause abnormal foetal development in animals.
