Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin whose primary role is helping your body to convert food into energy and it also helps the muscles to burn branched-chain amino acids to fuel performance. Biotin is essential for the synthesis of keratin - a protein that gives strength and resilience to hair, skin and nails.

Biotin plays an important role in the synthesis of many proteins and it also regulates gene expression. It is often found in the form of Biocytin, in which it is chemically bound to a Lysine residue in protein. Biocytin can be hydrolysed to release Biotin as a cofactor for many reactions, predominantly carboxylase reactions (i.e. cellular reactions requiring CO2). Biotin is a cofactor for five carboxylase enzymes, which are involved in the digestion of carbohydrates, the synthesis of fatty acids, and gluconeogenesis (the process of glucose formation from non-carbohydrate substrates).

Biotin can be found in many foods such as eggs, milk and bananas.

1 egg contains 10 micrograms of biotin.

The recommended adequate intake of biotin is 30 micrograms daily.

Benefits:

1. Assists energy production.
2. Promotes hair growth and healthy hair.
3. Can help to strengthen brittle and chipped nails.
4. Helps maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Did you know....

Biotin used to be called Vitamin H, with the “H” used because of its reported benefits for hair.

EFSA claims

1. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
2. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
3. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
4. Biotin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
5. Biotin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
6. Biotin contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism.
7. Biotin contributes to normal psychological function.