What Are the Causes of Biotin Deficiency?
Biotin is one of the B-complex vitamins and is essential to your body's health. Important for converting carbohydrates into energy, biotin also helps metabolize fats and protein. As with all B vitamins, biotin helps keep your hair, skin, eyes, liver and nervous system strong and healthy, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you're deficient in vitamin B, these parts of your body may suffer. Although biotin deficiency is not common, there are several notable causes.
Causes of Deficiency
According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, true biotin deficiency is rare. However, some situations may cause biotin deficiency. The consumption of large numbers of egg whites daily for a prolonged period -- weeks to years -- can cause biotin depletion, because egg whites contain a protein that prevents biotin absorption. Other causes include long-term use of antibiotics, which may deplete biotin-producing intestinal flora; the use of parenteral nutrition for extended periods; and certain disorders of absorption, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. The symptoms of biotin deficiency include scaly skin, brittle nails, thinning hair, dry eyes, fatigue, loss of appetite, depression and cracks in the corners of the mouth.
- According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, true biotin deficiency is rare.
- Other causes include long-term use of antibiotics, which may deplete biotin-producing intestinal flora; the use of parenteral nutrition for extended periods; and certain disorders of absorption, says the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Sources of Biotin
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The best source of biotin is animal organ meats, such as liver and kidney, says North Carolina State University. However, numerous other foods also contain biotin, including egg yolks, soybeans, brewer's yeast, rice bran, cooked oats, bananas, wheat, nuts and milk. In addition, certain bacteria that exist naturally in your intestinal tract produce biotin for your body's use.
Increasing Biotin
If you are biotin deficient, there are steps you can take to increase your biotin level. Biotin is available in supplement form -- in daily multivitamins, as part of B-complex vitamin supplements and in separate supplements by itself. You may also include more biotin-rich foods into your diet and reduce your intake of any biotin-lowering foods, such as egg whites, if you have been consuming large amounts of them.
Considerations
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Consult your physician before you take any vitamin supplement. Although they may seem natural and healthy, even vitamin supplements can cause unpleasant side effects in some people or interact problematically with certain medications. Your physician can also evaluate whether you are truly deficient in biotin.
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References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin H (Biotin); Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.; June 2009
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute; Biotin; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; June 2004
- Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-soccio L. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017;3(3):166-169. doi:10.1159/000462981
- Kummer S, Hermsen D, Distelmaier F. Biotin Treatment Mimicking Graves' Disease. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(7):704-6. doi:10.1056/NEJMc1602096
- Mock DM, Quirk JG, Mock NI. Marginal biotin deficiency during normal pregnancy. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;7. doi:10.1093/ajcn/75.2.295
- Zempleni J, Hassan YI, Wijeratne SS. Biotin and biotinidase deficiency. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 2008;3(6):715-724. doi:10.1586/17446651.3.6.715
- Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378.
- Daniells S, Hardy G. Hair loss in long-term or home parenteral nutrition: are micronutrient deficiencies to blame? Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2010 Nov;13(6):690-7.
- Kummer S, Hermsen D, Distelmaier F. Biotin Treatment Mimicking Graves' Disease. N Engl J Med. 2016 Aug 18;375(7):704-6.
- Rajput RJ. Controversy: is there a role for adjuvants in the management of male pattern hair loss? J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2010 May;3(2):82-6.
- Trüeb RM. Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss. Int J Trichology. 2016 Apr-Jun;8(2):73-7.
Writer Bio
Shannon Hyland-Tassava has more than 16 years experience as a clinical health psychologist, wellness coach and writer. She is a health columnist for the "Northfield (Minn.) News" and has also contributed to "Motherwords," "Macalester Today" and two essay anthologies, among other publications. Hyland-Tassava holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois.