Biotin

Requirements:

• RDA:
  
  100 - 200 mcg.
• Daily Optimal Intake:
  
  300 mcg.

Supplement Forms:

• Included in most B-complex formulas

Food Sources:

• Calf liver 3 oz. (45 mcg.)
• Camembert cheese 2 oz. (3 mcg.)
• Chicken, dark 3 oz. (3 mcg.)
• Chicken liver 3 oz. (146 mcg.)
• Cod 3 oz. (3 mcg.)
• Egg, hard cooked 1 large (12 mcg.)
• Haddock 3 oz. (5 mcg.)
• Halibut 3 oz. (5 mcg.)
• Milk 1 cup (5 mcg.)
• Lamb kidney 3 oz. (33 mcg.)
• Rolled oats, uncooked 1/2 cup (15 mcg.)
• Salmon 3 oz. (3 mcg.)
• Tuna, canned 3 oz. (3 mcg.)

Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency:

• Alopecia
• Anorexia
• Dermatitis with scaliness which sometimes begins in the eye region
• Lassitude
• Muscular atrophy
• Nausea
• Skin changes
• Usually occurs with other nutrient deficiencies

Adverse Effects and Toxicity:

• None known

Drug/Nutrient Interactions:

• None known

Biochemical Functions:

• Coenzyme in oxidation and chain elongation of fatty acids
• Coenzyme in oxidation of carbohydrates
• Essential for carboxylation
• Involved in deamination of amino acids such as aspartic acid, threonine, and serine
• May be involved in the synthesis and release of insulin
• Required for synthesis of pancreatic amylase and niacin

Clinical Indications:

• Candidiasis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Seborrheic dermatitis in infants
• SIDS
• Strengthens nails
• Uremic neuropathy

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).