Vitamin B7, more commonly known as biotin, is a water-soluble nutrient that is part of the B vitamin family. B vitamins help support adrenal function, help calm and maintain a healthy nervous system, and are necessary for key metabolic processes. Biotin is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrate and fat.

Functions and benefits of Vitamin B7

People with diabetes may find Biotin beneficial because it has been known to increase the body's reaction to insulin. It plays a role in energy metabolism, and has been used to treat alopecia, cancer, Crohn's disease, hair loss, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, Rett syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis, and vaginal candidiasis.

Vitamin B7 has a number of important functions and benefits. For example it:

* It helps to relieve muscle pain.

* Biotin helps in the synthesis of fatty acids

* It helps in energy metabolism

* Biotin helps in the synthesis of amino acids and glucose.

Recommended Dosage for Vitamin B7

Its estimated minimum daily requirement is between 30 mcg to 300 mcg for both man and women. In people without disorders of biotin metabolism, doses of up to 5 mg/day for two years were not associated with adverse effects.

Food sources of Vitamin B7

Biotin is found in many foods, but generally in lower amounts than other water-soluble vitamins. Natural sources of biotin include egg yolk, liver, kidney, cooked oats, soybeans, unpolished rice, brewer's yeast, nuts and milk. Egg whites contain a chemical that binds to biotin very strongly and prevents it being absorbed into the blood from the intestines.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin B7

Vitamin B7can 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 metabolism.