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Vitamin H

The history of discovery

Biotin was discovered in 1901 by Uilders who established an agent for yeast growth and called it "BIOS", which means "life" in Greek.

Further research of biotin was continued in 1916 by biologist Beteman. He was feeding raw eggs, the main source of protein, to laboratory rats, and eventually noticed that the animal fur would fell out, there were skin lesions and the violation of muscle function. He then replaced raw eggs with boiled ones, thus avoiding the appearance of the above symptoms.

The fact is that the raw eggs are rich with proteins, vitamins and minerals, but they also contain the specific protein called avidin which binds biotin and prevents its absorption in the intestine. If you eat boiled eggs instead of raw ones, the lack of biotin will not be observed because as a result of thermal denaturation avidin loses the ability to bind biotin.

The crystalline form of the substance was first isolated by F. Kögl in 1935 from egg yolk and was called a "biotin".

The industrial production began in 1949, thanks to the method developed by Shternbah and Goldberg. They were using fumaric acid as the starting material, getting the pure D-biotin as the result.

Vitamin H received the name "biotin" after the title of a hypothetical vital factor "BIOS" which provides the growth and reproduction of yeast. It later emerged that the "BIOS" is a mixture of different vitamins and vitamin-like substances, which have been given individual names. And vitamin H "inherited" the historical name of the mixture. Biotin is known as Vitamin B7, H and coenzyme R. There are 8 different forms, but only one of them - D-biotin – is fully biologically active and is present in the natural compounds.

What does biotin do?

Biotin is necessary for 9 enzyme systems. It is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, has high activity. This vitamin is necessary for the immune system, for skin (it reduces the severity of eczema and dermatitis) and nervous system. With biotin the body gets energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates. Biotin is vital for the normal functioning of the stomach and intestines, it has lipotropic effect (able to reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver) and it is also a growth factor.

Biotin contains sulfur, which is important for healthy skin, hair and nails - that’s why it was called "the vitamin of beauty". This vitamin is good for the skin and hair; it prevents hair loss and graying.

According to the recent reports, biotin plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism, interacting with the pancreatic hormone, the insulin. Furthermore, biotin is involved in the production of so-called glucokinase, a substance which basically "launches" the glucose metabolism. Glucokinase is produced in the liver, the same place where the biotin is stored. This is especially important for diabetics, who has lowered amount of glucokinase in their liver.

The biotin has insulin-like activity, it reduces blood sugar levels. Through the addition of biotin (16 mg daily), doctors are able to substantially improve the glucose metabolism among the diabetic patients and to stabilize blood sugar level.

Biotin plays a significant role in the synthesis of glycogen, carbohydrate, which is accumulated in the liver and muscles, in assimilation of these stocks and in the so-called gluconeogenesis, during which 16 of 22 amino acids are converted into glucose. This process is extremely important for maintain a stable blood sugar level. Therefore, a care after sufficient replenishment of biotin must be taken.

This vitamin is also has other tasks.

It helps to digest protein and is an important ally of the other B vitamins, such as folic and pantothenic acid and vitamin B12, during metabolism.

Where can biotin be found?

The biggest amounts of biotin can be found in beef liver, egg yolk, milk, nuts, fruits.

How much biotin do you need?

The daily human need for biotin is 30-50 mg. Biotin deficiency is a rare phenomenon.

Lack and excess of biotin

Biotin deficiency is a rare phenomenon. Causes of deficiency of this vitamin can be as follows: anatsidic gastritis, bowel disease, inhibition of intestinal microflora, often associated with taking antibiotics and sulfa drugs, estrogen; the use of products containing sulfur compounds as preservatives (E221 - E228) (sulfur dioxide generated by heating of such products, and also through contact with air). The main symptoms of biotin deficiency: first the skin starts to peel off and then the dermatitis on the hands, feet, cheeks develop.

The biotin excess has no toxic effect.

Biotin is contained in the following biologically active supplements: