Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a B vitamin. Biotin is a B complex vitamin that aids in the conversion of food into energy.
Biotin is derived from the ancient Greek word “biotos,” which meaning “life” or “sustenance.” B vitamins, particularly biotin, support the health of your skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system. Biotin is also crucial for embryonic development throughout pregnancy.
Health benefits of biotin
Many of your body’s primary systems benefit from biotin. Biotin, like the other B vitamins, aids in the utiliZation of enzymes and the transport of nutrients throughout the body. Biotin can also improve your health in the following ways:
1.Breaking down macronutrients
Biotin is an important vitamin that supports a range of enzymes involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, which helps the body convert food into energy.
Biotin is involved in the following processes:
• Gluconeogenesis: Gluconeogenesis is the process of generating glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such amino acids, with the help of biotin-containing enzymes.
• Fatty acid synthesis: Biotin aids enzymes in the activation of key fatty acid synthesis processes.
• Biotin-containing enzymes have a role in the metabolism of a number of essential amino acids, including leucine.
2.Diabetes Management
Biotin has been shown in studies to aid in the management of diabetic symptoms. It aids in the control of blood sugar levels in some diabetics.
Furthermore, B vitamins support healthy brain function, which aids in the management of diabetes-related neurological symptoms such as neuropathy (damage or dysfunction of a nerve).
3.Hair Health
Biotin is well-known for its hair-strengthening properties. Biotin enhances hair health in women with thinning hair, including shine, volume, and scalp covering, according to research.
4.Improved Skin and Fingernails
Biotin also helps to improve the moisture, smoothness, and look of the skin, according to studies. Biotin can also strengthen and speed up the growth of fingernails, according to certain research. Biotin may be used in a variety of ways in your cosmetic regimen.
5.Prenatal Care
Biotin is also required for a successful pregnancy. Biotin deficiency, which is quite prevalent among pregnant women, has been linked to health concerns in growing newborns, according to studies.
6. Supporting multiple sclerosis treatment
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune illness that develops as a result of a body’s immune system attacking itself. It destroys nerve fibres’ protective coverings in the brain, spinal cord, and eyes.
Myelin is the protective coating that surrounds the nerve cells, and biotin may have a role in its production.
Biotin in cancer
The sodium dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) is the primary biotin transporter, and it is overexpressed in ovarian (OV 2008, ID8), leukemia (L1210FR), mastocytoma (P815), colon (Colo-26), breast (4T1, JC, MMT06056), renal (RENCA, RD0995), and lung (M109) cancer cell lines. Its overexpression was also discovered to be greater than that of the folate receptor. As a result, biotin demand is greater in quickly developing tumours than in normal tissues. Several biotin-conjugated organic compounds for selective drug delivery in cancer cells have been described. In biotin positive cancer cell lines, biotin attached compounds have a greater cytotoxicity than normal cells. This review focused on nanoparticles and polymer surface modified medicines, as well as biotin-mediated cancer theranostic strategies. After biotin conjugation, the drug’s cytotoxicity and selectivity in cancer cells improved.
Mechanism of action
In humans, biotin serves as a coenzyme for a variety of carboxylases, changing the irreversible carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA. These enzymes play an important role in a variety of metabolic processes. Biotin’s novel functions, particularly in cell signalling and epigenetic control, have recently been recognized. The mechanism of action of biotin is that it binds to particular lysine residues. An upset stomach might be one of the negative effects of taking too much biotin, but it is still a vitamin with very few side effects. Biotin absorption by human colonic epithelial cells is mediated by a carrier. Vitamin B7 is required for three important carboxylation reactions: pyruvate to oxalacetate conversion, acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA conversion, and propionyl-CoA to methylmalonyl-CoA conversion. The transfer of carbon takes place in a carboxylase process with the help of biotin. Essentially, these biotin-assisted transformations break down food into glucose, the brain’s and body’s major fuel supply.
Biotin-Rich Foods
Food sources of biotin include:
- Oats
- Wheat germ
- White mushrooms
- Spinach
- Cheese
- Milk
- Carrot
- Apple
- Tomato
- Lettuce
- Avocado
