Vitamin B7 – Uses, Sources & Symptoms

Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin which is water-soluble and facilitates the metabolism of fats, carbohydrate and proteins. It is also known as vitamin H which has been taken from the german words ‘Haar and Haut’ which mean skin and hair.  It also facilitates the hair growth, makes the nails strong and prevents diabetes. 

Biotin was discovered by Paul Gregory in 1931 and has been listed in the World Health Organizations list of essential medicines due to its efficacy. It is a co-enzyme that helps in synthesizing fatty acids, synthesizing glucose from amino acids and fatty acids and leucine.

KEY FUNCTIONS

SKIN

• It prevents the oxidative damage to enhance the texture of the skin.
• Helps in rejuvenation of skin
• Reduces wrinkles, fine lines, spots, dark circles etc. and makes the skin clear.

HAIR

Strengthens, retains the color, and prevents breakage 

NAILS

Helps in improving the quality of nails and makes them stronger.

BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL

Helps in reducing the level of blood sugar by releasing insulin from beta-pancreatic cells.

DIFFERENT TREATMENTS

• It helps in improving the cognitive functioning of the brain.
• Treats the signs and symptoms of psychotic conditions like brain fog, depression, schizophrenia, hallucinations, etc.

• Helps in treating biotin responsive basal ganglia disease.

• Decreases muscle cramps and pain during dialysis.

• Improves vision

• Treat conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap in children and auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis in adults

 DIETARY SOURCES

Carrot, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, sweet potato, bananas, avocados, raspberries, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, sunflowers seeds, rice, wheat, oats, milk, cheddar cheese, salmon, tuna, sardines, pork, oysters, eggs and meat.

RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCE

The intake of vitamin B7 has been recommended in micrograms per day (mcg per day). The intake is as follows:

Infants up to 6 months are advised 5 mcg  and  between 7 -12 months are advised 6 mcg, children between 1-3 years are advised 8 mcg,  4-8 years are advised 12 mcg and 9-13 years are advised 20 mcg, 14 years and above are advised 25 mcg and pregnant and lactating women are advised 30mcg and 35 mcg.

 DEFICIENCY

The causes of vitamin B7 deficiency are consumption of egg whites regularly, biotinidase deficiency and consuming high quantity of alcohol.

SYMPTOMS

There are many signs and symptoms that help in indicating a lack in Biotin and they are as follows:

An increased loss of hair, red colored rashes appear all over the eyes, nose, mouth and genitals, conjunctivitis and ketolactic acidosis signifies Vitamin B7 deficiency. Furthermore, neurological issues like depression, lethargy, hallucination, numbness and tingling sensation in legs while sitting for prolonged hours and other degenerative diseases. Further, in people with congenital biotin metabolism disorder an impairment of functionality of immune system, seizures, optical atrophy, and amplified vulnerability to bacterial and fungal infections can be seen along with the general signs and symptoms.

OVERVIEW

Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin which is water -soluble and facilitates the metabolism of fats, carbohydrate and proteins. Biotin has been listed in the  World Health Organizations list of essential medicines due to its efficacy. It prevents the oxidative damage to enhance the texture of the skin and helps in reducing the levels of blood sugar by releasing insulin from beta-pancreatic cells. The symptoms of vitamin B7 deficiency are rashes, numbness, seizures and increased vulnerability.