My Heart Life

OVERVIEW

There is a group of vitamins that are responsible for converting the carbohydrates that we consume in our diet to glucose which is used by our bodies for energy; These are called B complex vitamins. They are also important in metabolizing fats and proteins. They play an essential roll in having healthy hair, skin, nails and livers. Biotin, which you will sometimes hear referred to as vitamin H, belongs to this group of vitamins.

In order for our bodies to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and amino acids we need biotin. Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins. It is often found in cosmetics and is recommended for healthy hair, skin and nails. Biotin is not stored by the body because it is a water soluble vitamin. It can be produced by bacteria living in our intestines. We also get small amounts from the foods we eat.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BIOTIN DEFICIENCY?

Although biotin deficiency is very rare symptoms can include loss of hair, dry skin, cracking in the corners of the mouth, loss of appetite and depression. There are certain groups of people that can experience biotin deficiency. These include people that are being feed intravenously over a prolonged period of time, someone who is taking anti convulsive medicines and those with absorption problems. If this deficiency is left untreated one may see neurological symptoms appear such as changes in mental status, generalized muscle pain and Hyperesthesias and paraesthesias. Biotin deficiency is easily corrected with proper supplementation.

LOSS OF HAIR

Many times the first signs of disease and illness are manifested in skin problems, thinning hairlines or brittle nails. This is particularly true with nutritional deficiencies.

Blood tests can detect nutritional deficiencies, but due to the high number of nutrients in the body and the expense associated with testing many doctors normally do not order them unless they are having problems making a diagnosis. They will most likely opt for a medication that is known to work on most people but not all. This medication is usually a drug called Propecia. It is interesting to note that researchers think they have identified a particular gene that may be responsible for the difference in this drugs success.

There are several reasons why biotin has been found to be effective when used for hair loss:

1. The primary structural component of hair is keratin. Biotin is a cofactor for the metabolism of amino acids which are needed for the production of keratin.

2. Biotin is needed for cell growth and hair is made up of cells.

3. Biotin is needed for the production of fatty acids. These are the primary components of natural oils produced by the body. These natural oils prevent hair from breaking and protect it from elements such as wind and sun. They can also protect from the harsh effects of styling.

BIOTIN AND DIABETES

People that have diabetes understand that it is important to follow a diet that does not disrupt their blood sugar levels. Along with maintaining a low Glycemic Index diet it is also important to supplement with nutrients that aid in controlling blood sugar levels. Biotin is one of the B complex vitamins that is know to participate in this process.

Biotin has been shown to enhance the performance of insulin in several studies. Insulin is a hormone that plays a critical role in helping our bodies incorporate blood sugar. Glucokinase is an enzyme that is used by our liver in the early stages of utilizing blood sugar. Biotin has been shown to increase the activity of this enzyme.

A few more benefits of biotin for diabetics are as follows:

1. It is critical for energy metabolism. Biotin is a coenzyme that and acts to carry carbon dioxide. It performs a role in the synthesis of fats, amino acid metabolism and the synthesis of glycogen.

2. Helps to break down carbohydrates and lower blood sugar levels.

3. It is an essential nutrient in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. This is very helpful in weight control.

4. It helps the body use protein, folic acid and vitamin B12.

5. It is essential for the formation of fatty acids and glucose.

As with any supplementation program it is always advised that you consult with your primary care physician or medical professional. He or she will be best to access your personal needs along with any limitations

John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He is committed to a healthy lifestyle through natural means. To learn more about the benefits of Biotin we have included additional links at the bottom of the page to help educate you on the subject. Or you can subscribe to our Vitamin and Supplement blog where you will find information on topics concerning natural supplementationArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-health-benefits-does-biotin-offer-1605038.html

My Heart Life Heart Health Fitness Amino Acids, B Complex Vitamins, Brittle Nails, Fats And Proteins, First Signs, Hair Skin, Healthy Hair, Hyperesthesias, Intravenously, Livers, Loss Of Appetite, Loss Of Hair, Muscle Pain, Neurological Symptoms, Nutritional Deficiencies, Prolonged Period, Skin And Nails, Skin Problems, Vitamin H, Water Soluble Vitamin

Biotin, which is also known as vitamin H, is part of the B complex of vitamins. This vitamin complex is necessary for converting carbohydrates from the foods that we eat into glucose which our bodies use as fuel. This group of vitamins also helps metabolize fats and proteins. They are also essential for healthy hair, skin, and nails and liver. Without them are nervous systems would not function properly.

Biotin is needed by our bodies to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. It is often recommended for healthy hair and skin and can often be found in cosmetics. Biotin is a water soluble vitamin which means that it is not stored by the body. Some bacteria living in our intestines can produce biotin and we also get small amounts of it from our diets.

BIOTIN DEFICIENCY

Biotin deficiency is rare. Some of the symptoms can be hair loss, dry skin, cracking in the corners of the mouth, loss of appetite, fatigue and depression. Some people that may be at risk of biotin deficiency are those that are being feed intravenously over a long period of time, someone who is taking anti convulsive medicine long term and those with absorption problems. If left untreated neurological symptoms may also start to appear. These can include changes in mental status, generalized muscle pain and Hyperesthesias and paraesthesias. Biotin deficiency is easily corrected with supplementation.

HAIR LOSS

Sometimes the first symptoms of illness or disease are noticeable by skin problems, brittle nails or thinning hairlines. These may be the first symptoms to appear. This is particularly true of nutritional deficiencies.

Nutritional deficiencies can be detected with blood tests but due to the many nutrients in our bodies and the expense of such tests doctors usually do not order them unless they are having a difficult time in diagnosing a condition. This usually results in being prescribed a medication that is known to work for most people. This medication is usually Propecia. This is something that may work for some people but not all. Researchers think they have identified a particular gene that is responsible for the difference.

Biotin has been found to be effective when used for hair loss for the following reasons:

* It is a cofactor for the metabolism of amino acids. This is necessary for the production of a protein called keratin, the primary structural protein that makes up hair.

* It is needed for cell growth which hair is made of.

* Biotin is needed for the production of fatty acids. These are the primary components of natural oils produced by the body. These natural oils prevent hair from breaking and protect it from damaging elements such as wind and sun. They can also protect from the harsh effects of styling.

BIOTIN AND DIABETES

If you are diabetic you know the importance of avoiding foods that disrupt blood sugar levels. In addition to eating a low Glycemic Index diet it is also important to supplement with certain nutrients that aid us in controlling blood sugar levels. An important nutrient that is known to participate in controlling glucose levels is biotin, which is one of the B complex vitamins.

There have been several studies that show biotin has the ability to enhance the performance of insulin. This is a hormone that plays a critical role in helping our bodies incorporate blood sugar. This vitamin can also increase the activity of an enzyme called glucokinase, which the liver uses in the early stages of utilizing blood sugar. A few more benefits of biotin for diabetics are as follows:

* It is critical for energy metabolism. Biotin is a coenzyme that and acts to carry carbon dioxide. It performs a role in the synthesis of fats, amino acid metabolism and the synthesis of glycogen.

* Helps to break down carbohydrates and lower blood sugar levels.

* It is an essential nutrient in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. This is very helpful in weight control.

* It helps the body use protein, folic acid and vitamin B12.

* It is essential for the formation of fatty acids and glucose.

As with any supplementation program it is always advised that you consult with your primary care physician or medical professional. He or she will be best to access your personal needs along with any limitations.

John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He has more than 25 years in his field and is a great source of information. To learn more about Biotin we have included additional links at the bottom of the page to help educate you on the subject. You are also invited to visit our Vitamin and Supplement Blog for information on this and other subjects that may interest you.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-can-biotin-benefit-my-health-1542583.html

My Heart Life Heart Health Fitness Amino Acids, B Complex, Brittle Nails, Building Blocks Of Protein, Fats And Proteins, Hair And Skin, Hair Skin, Healthy Hair, Hyperesthesias, Intravenously, Loss Of Appetite, Muscle Pain, Nervous Systems, Neurological Symptoms, Nutritional Deficiencies, Skin And Nails, Skin Problems, Symptoms Of Illness, Vitamin H, Water Soluble Vitamin