| Today's diet has more sugar and fat than it ever has. | | | | manufacture Biotin in the large intestinal tract, but |
| It is hidden in almost every packaged food. Along with | | | | intestinal problems can also be a signal for Biotin |
| salt, sugar and fat are too high in our diets. We don't | | | | deficiency. Beneficial flora can manufacture Biotin but if |
| seem to read labels on packages to see how much | | | | there in an overabundance of unhealthy bacteria there |
| of an ingredient is in the food. We or our kids just like | | | | the extra source of Biotin can be compromised. The |
| the taste so we buy it. To help us manage the fuel | | | | overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria can be signaled by |
| from all these digested foods, nature has provided us | | | | gas, bloating, gastric reflux and intestinal cramping that |
| with some tools. Once these excesses of sugar and | | | | may be accompanied by diarrhea. |
| fat are inside you, the body has to do something with | | | | Deficiencies in Biotin, often also reflect a deficiency in |
| it. | | | | Pantothenic Acid or Vitamin B5 as they two nutrients |
| Biotin is one of the less commonly known B vitamins | | | | work together in the body. To make sure that your |
| that help with the metabolism of sugars and fats. In its | | | | diet is balanced, make sure you have enough Vitamin |
| role with sugar metabolism, biotin is the stepping stone | | | | B5 rich foods in your diet. |
| that takes sugars through every stage until it is in a | | | | Since glucose and fats are the body's primary sources |
| usable energy form for the body. Some people get | | | | of energy, everything that is eaten and can be used |
| muscle cramps when they exercise or exert | | | | for fuel is converted to these two forms of energy. |
| themselves which could mean that there is not enough | | | | When the energy is burned as fuel, it produces |
| fuel to feed the muscles. In this case, it could signal a | | | | electrical energy that can be used to run the body - |
| deficiency of biotin in the diet as biotin is part of the | | | | everything from moving muscles, to thinking, digesting, |
| delivery system. | | | | growing and repairing needs fuel. When the body is |
| Biotin deficiency often shows up in the skin, as thick | | | | short on Biotin, all kinds of nervous system related |
| fatty deposits on the scalp. Biotin is key to fat | | | | symptoms can appear. These usually relate to how |
| synthesis. There is an important enzyme call acetyl | | | | the nerves function in the body. For example, lack of |
| Co-A carbosylase which required biotin to function. | | | | muscle coordination and stumbling, inability to grasp |
| Acetyl Co-A carbosylase stimulates the processes for | | | | objects or dropping them can also be caused by poor |
| fat production in the body. The body produces | | | | muscle tone from a possible Biotin deficiency. |
| different types of fat for different purposes. For | | | | To get enough Biotin in your diet there are certain |
| example, fat production is very important for skin cells | | | | foods that are excellent sources like chard, carrots, |
| as they are the first line of defense for the body. If the | | | | romaine lettuce and tomatoes. Very good sources are |
| skin becomes compromised, infection can set in and | | | | foods like cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber almonds, |
| strain the body's immune resources. Since skin cells die | | | | chicken eggs, and onions. Good Biotin sources are |
| and must be replaced fairly rapidly, it is important that | | | | goat's and cow's milk, halibut, raspberries, walnuts and |
| everything grow rapidly and replace efficiently. Fats | | | | oats. Get several servings of Biotin-rich foods every |
| are used in the construction of skin cells as lipids give | | | | day to make sure your sugars and fats are being |
| the skin its soft smooth texture. | | | | metabolized and used efficiently, not stored around |
| The best way to illustrate what a Biotin deficiency | | | | your middle. |
| looks like in the skin is to describe cradle cap in infants. | | | | As you can see, Biotin, which used to be called Vitamin |
| It is a form of dermatitis, a skin condition that forms | | | | H, is paramount in a lot of body functions. By monitoring |
| crusty yellowish (or whitish) scaly patches on the scalp, | | | | your intake of fats and sugars, reading package labels |
| eyebrows and the skin behind the ears. It can also | | | | and making sure you have enough Biotin in your diet, |
| appear on other parts of the head and elsewhere on | | | | you are ensuring the proper functioning of your |
| the body. In adults the condition is called seborrheic | | | | nervous system so you are more comfortable when |
| dermatitis. It becomes itchy and if it is scratched, it | | | | you move. Soft smooth skin is another benefit of |
| becomes red and inflamed and can actually bleed. By | | | | enough Biotin in your diet. Eat your Biotin rich foods or |
| adding a good Vitamin B complex vitamin that contains | | | | ask your health care professional which supplements |
| Biotin, the condition will diminish and disappear. | | | | are right for you. |
| Under certain conditions the body is able to | | | | |