What Is Biotin?
Biotin otherwise known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H is a water soluble vitamin that contains vitamin B-complex. Biotin availability is necessary for good health. The different types of protein in the food result in the formation of Biotin. Crops such as corn, wheat etc has 20-40% of biotin. Biotin can also be found in chickens and rats. The availability of biotin is very low in the food products but most of food products have little amount of biotin. The factor which affects the need of biotin is not known, but alcohol is one of the factors that affect the biotin formation. Smoking is also one of the reasons for less availability of biotin.
Our body requires about 40 to 100 gm of biotin every day to produce carbohydrate in blood. Biotin which is available in the form of shampoo helps in the growth of hair. Biotin is very helpful in producing proteins and other nutrients in the body. Biotinidase is an enzyme which produces biotin with the help of protein and amino acids. Egg white contain avaidin which the binds the biotin and helps in digestion.
Biotin deficiency occurs rarely among the healthy people. It has no age limit, gender or ancestry. The daily necessity of biotin is very low. Food provides adequate amount of biotin. White material present in the eggs contains high levels of avidin which contains the protein that forms the biotin.
Functions of Biotin
Biotin is essential for the healthy function of your body. Biotin is needed for the growth of cells, the metabolism of amino acids and fats and the production of the fatty acids in your body. It plays a major role in the citric acid. Biotin does not assist in metabolic reaction. It helps in transferring of carbon dioxide. Biotin also helps in maintaining the blood sugar level in your body. It is used to give strength to hair and nails. It helps to protect the skin from the diseases.
Advantages of Biotin
Biotin helps in the growth of body cells and in production of acids that are rich in fats. It is also helpful in maintaining the level of sugar in the blood. It plays a major role in the cycling of citric acid. The cycling of citric acid is a process in which various bio-chemicals are generated. It helps to strengthen the nails and hair of the human being and most of the cosmetic used for hair and nail contain Biotin. The supplements of Biotin are available as a natural product to cure the hair problems of adults and children. It prevents the premature graying of hair and reduces the blood pressure of diabetes people. Biotin is required for developing the body cell in fetus and DNA replication. It is used to prevent baldness and to increase the male’s sex glad. It strengthens the nerves tissue, bone and blood cells in the body and reduces the muscle pain. Biotin plays a significant role in human diet.
Deficiency of Biotin
Deficiency due to Biotin is very rare because the bacteria in the intestinal will produce enough energy for the body. Healthy people do not come across deficiency because the need of biotin is very low for the healthy people and their body work properly by recycling the wastes of body and thus saves the energy. Late pregnancy is also due to the low level of Biotin in the body. Biotin is the major reason for the deficiency of human growth. As per the recent study, most of the women are affected by the deficiency of marginal biotin after their pregnancy. Some of the liver disease may also lead to biotin deficiency. Biotin deficiency may occur in any stage of people and it is common for both men and women. This deficiency can be cured by eating raw egg for a month and the yolk of the egg is not necessary. There are two hereditary disorders due to biotin deficiency they are Holocarboxylase synthetas and biotinidase deficiency.
Symptoms of Biotin Deficiency
If the deficiency is left untreated, it will lead to neurological symptoms such as metal distortion, hyperesthesia, mild depression, fungal infection, dry skin, brittle hair and total baldness. Some of the other symptoms of biotin deficiency are hair loss, bald head, and dark circle around the eyes, red rashes under the eyes, nose and mouth. The symptoms of biotin deficiency in adults are depression, numbness facial rash, loss of weight, pale skin, muscles pain, breathing trouble and drowsiness.
Herbals are the plants which contain medicinal qualities that are used for curing both human and animal diseases. Herbal vitamins are the natural form of vitamins which are found in herbs. It is one of the most important vitamins necessary for good health. The herb provides required vitamins, minerals and other essential fatty acids to balance the health of the humans. There are several active principles of plants yet to be found. The genes of herbs are combined together for discovering new medicines. The herbs also contain minerals, amino acids and high grade of vitamins to balance the health of human beings. It is the most common form of health supplements which helps to cure the disease of humans as well as animals. In the early 19th century the herbs which contain medical substance are used for curing the symptoms of man and it is the basic for pharmaceutical medicines.
The herbs are the basic for pharmaceutical medicines and are available as ayurvedic medicines. All the plants are not herbs and the plants other than herbs are not safe to use as medicines. Herbs are used in medical therapies and it helps to develop more pharmaceutical industries. Even though there are many modern medical industries, most of the people use herbs as medicines and it is acts as revolutionary of pharmaceutical drugs. According to a research more than one billion people are depending on medicinal herbs. The vitamins and minerals contained in herbs can be easily absorbed by the human body. There are about 2500 species of herbs available and out of these around 1500 to 2000 plants are used as herbs for medicinal purpose.
Uses of Herbal Vitamins
Herbal vitamins reduce the infection of micro organisms in pets and keep the pet healthier. It provides essential nutrition for the pet. Herbs have been used from ancient times to provide the required mineral, vitamins and other nutrition to maintain a good health. Herbs can even save the human life and it has been used occasionally for medical treatments. Herbs are also involved in anti aging process of the humans and the vitamins available in it are not prescribed as B-complex vitamin or other minerals. This vitamin also provides required energy for the body and it improves the daily activities of human body in normal level. Herbs are used as a companion for your food. The pets such as dogs and cats eat the plants and other herbs to fulfill their needs.
The herbs which contain medical substances are used to heal the wounds of the body. In early 19th century the herbs were used for curing the diseases. According to many researches the principle of one plant differs from another. If these medicinal herbs are used correctly, then they can heal the wounds very quickly because they contain powerful compounds for healing. The herbal plants such as Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Amaraki, Shilajit and triphala are used and are found to be effective for anti aging process. Shikakai is one of the best herbs for improving the growth of hair and it avoids premature graying of hair. Hibiscus is also one of herbal plants which are used as hair conditioner and it also improves your hair growth. About 25,000 plants contain the effect of drugs and it is used for curing several diseases of human and animals.
Vitamins, dietary minerals and other nutritional elements are supplemented to the humans as one preparation known as multivitamins. Such preparations are in the form of capsules, powders, tablets, liquid, pastilles and also available in injection forms. Keep in mind that you should take injections only under the strict supervision of doctor and not according to your wish.
Vitamin Deficiency:
When a human being is deficient in vitamin then disease like rickets and scurvy affect them. Vitamins have antioxidants, which are good for the human body.
Who are eligible to take multivitamin products?
Multivitamins are available for different age groups such as children, men, women, pregnancy women and diabetic patients.
How to consume?
Generally multivitamin formulas are available in the form of tablets. Multivitamins available in the form of powder can be consumed once or twice per day. Some multivitamin formulas are formulated for consumption of three to seven times per day. Some are prepared for hourly consumption as well.
Are there side effects in taking multivitamins?
Yes some studies and researches state that there are also negative results for the consumption of multivitamins.
According to a survey conducted among 70,000 postmenopausal nurses, who consumed vitamin A from the food and multivitamin supplements for over 18 years. The survey indicates that those nurses who consumed multivitamin supplements had the greatest risk of bone fractures. During pregnancy, due to low vitamin E they take in multivitamin, which could increase the possibility of asthma in the child.
Can you use the same multivitamins for both adults and children?
No, you should not do it. You should keep away the children from multivitamins formulated for adults. Keep in mind that if you continuously take large amount of multivitamins it will deteriorate your health. Some types of multivitamins come in the form of gums and candies for children and it helps to make your children aware that multivitamins are only medicine.
Only with the doctor’s recommendation, you should give multivitamins to your child or else normal nutrition is enough.
Basic Commercial Multivitamins
Ingredients found in basic commercial multivitamins are vitamin C, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B9. Potassium iodide, selenomethionine, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, iron and beta-carotene are also the ingredients. Some of the other formulas also include additional ingredients such as carotene like lutein and lycopene, trimethylglycine, lecitin, citrus bioflavinoids, betaine hydrochloride etc.
Modern Multivitamin Products:
Among brands and lines according to consumer choice compositional variations are there. Generally they are classified as 1) RDA centric multivitamins with or without iron 2) RDA centric multivitamin - multi mineral formulas with or without iron 3) Higher potency formulas with most RDA components with or without iron 4) More specialized formulas - condition like for diabetics, herbal extracts or premium vitamin and mineral forms.
Uses Of Multivitamins:
Folic acid deficiency leads to breast cancer or heart disease. Pregnant lady with folic acid deficiency gives birth to baby with neural tube defect problems. So supplementing of folic acid daily in the diet significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects. So it is advised to take multivitamins for good health condition.
Vitamin C is water - soluble vitamin, which is also known as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is the most popular substance for the dietitians. While we are in diet we have to take vitamin C more than 250 milligrams. Humans, gorillas, chimps, bats, guinea pigs and birds are some of the few animals who cannot make vitamin C of their own. The requirement of vitamin C can be changed according to the age of the people.
Functioning:
Vitamin C is an important structural component of blood vessels, tenders, ligaments and bone. It is mostly used for neurotransmitter and nor epinephrine. A neurotransmitter affects the mood of a person. It is required for the synthesis of carnitine and the process is called as mitochondria. It plays a crucial role in the conversion of food & energy. Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant. Vitamin C can protect the molecules present in the body such as protein lipids; carbohydrates, nucleic acids and this can protect you from the damages of radicals and reactive oxygen. This may be generated by metabolism. It can also regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin E.
Vitamin C helps in the growth of tissues in all parts of your body. It is essential for the healing of wounds and to maintain the strength of bones and teeth. The by-products lead to the development of various health conditions such as cancer, heart diseases etc. We have to take plenty of vitamin C because it doesn’t store in the body. So add more vitamin C in your daily diet. Vitamin C is referred as an anti scorbutic factor, which can prevent the disease called scurvy. Vitamin C plays a major role in protecting your skin and gums. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, joint diseases and cataract can be cured with the help of sufficient Vitamin C in your diet. It also prevents oxygen - based damages to our cells.
Deficiency:
Deficiency of Vitamin C causes disease called scurvy. In 1700’s itself British sailors were aware that scurvy could be cured by eating oranges or lemons. The symptoms of scurvy are bleeding gums tooth loss, joint pain and swelling. This disease occurs because of the weakening of blood vessels, connective tissue and the bone, which contains collagen. Then the weak immune system is susceptible to colds and other infections.
Sources Of Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is present in all fruits and vegetables especially in the citrus fruits. The highest sources of vitamin C include green pepper, juices of citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, turnip greens and leafy vegetables, sweet and white potatoes and cantaloupe. Fruits rich in Vitamin C include papaya, mango, watermelon, brussels, sprouts and strawberry. The vegetables rich in Vitamin C include cauliflower, cabbage, winter squash, red peppers, raspberries, blue berries, cranberries and pineapples. The way of cooking food is also important. Don’t cook the vegetables for a long time as it may result in the loss of nutrients. Try to retain the water used for cooking.
Need Of Vitamin C:
Daily we need at least 60-95 mg of vitamins C. Eat a balanced amount of vitamin C. It contains a variety of foods. Vitamin C is not a fat - soluble vitamin and therefore it cannot be stored for later use.
Side Effects:
An excess of vitamin C may be led to stomach upset and diarrhea and it also causes bladder and kidney stones. Excess of vitamin C can also reduce the effectiveness of blood-thinners, which lead to the loss of calcium and nosebleed. If the vitamin C is low then it lead to dry and split hair, rough, dry, scaly skin, gingivitis, anemia, decreased ability to fight infection, possible weight gain because of slow metabolism.
Your body needs vitamins to grow and develop. Through our food habits we can get the vitamins necessary for our body. There are many types of vitamins namely A, B, C, D, E and K. Vitamin D and K can be prepared by our body of its own. From a variety of foods we can get all types of vitamins. There are 13 vitamins required by our body. Vitamins can be normally classified into two types- fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins.
Fat-soluble vitamins can absorb fat from the intestine and later it is stored in the liver. Liver is the place to store the vitamins. Here the liver can support the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. But vitamin E is distributed to the body’s fatty tissues.
Vitamins B and C have the water-soluble capacity, which are stored in the body and later excreted by the kidneys. But the vitamin B12 is stored in the liver of your body as it will be required daily.
Types of vitamins:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is present in dairy products, eggs, meat, and green vegetables and also in carrots. This will act as a retina’s dark adaptation mechanism. This vitamin is used for the growth of skin and hair. It is a substance called beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A. Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble substance, which is also known as thiamine. The sources of Vitamin B1 are yeast, egg yolk, liver, wheat, grams, nuts, red meat and cereals. It used as a carbohydrate metabolism. The deficiencies are fatigue, irritability, and loss of appetite, beriberi etc.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 known as riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin. The sources, which contain vitamin B2, are vegetables, eggs, dairy products, liver, cereals, fruit, and yeast. It is used as an intracellular metabolism. The deficiency results in painful tongue and fissures in the corners of the mouth and chapped lips.
Vitamin B12 is present in the food items such as liver, red meat, dairy products and fish. It is essential for manufacturing genetic material in cells. It is also necessary for the productions of erythrocytes and its deficiency leads to pernicious anemia. The diet source for vitamin B6 is similar to vitamin B12. It includes avocado, herring, salmon, sunflower seeds and walnuts.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an ascorbic acid, which is, presents in green vegetables and fruits. It is essential for the maintenance of bones, teeth, gums & ligaments bloods vessels. Then it is also necessary for effective immune response to infection. The deficiency of vitamin C leads to scurvy. It is used to reduce cholesterol level and regulate the blood pressure. Vitamin C helps in the growth of healthy body tissue. Too much of vitamin C result in sensitivity, irritable stomach and mouth ulcers.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble substance, which is present in fish liver oils, dairy products. It protects your skin from sunlight. It helps in the absorption of calcium to maintain healthy bones. Deficiency of vitamin D causes rickets.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps to keep your heart healthy. Vitamin E promotes blood circulation, which protects tissues against damage, promotes normal growth and development and helps in the formation of red blood cells. The deficiency of Vitamin E causes muscular dystrophy. It is present in avocados, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, mangoes, corn oil, safflower oil, mackerel, salmon, nuts, whale grain and soft margarine.
Vitamin E is present in meat, green vegetables and mostly vitamin K is produced in large intestine. Vitamin E plays a crucial role in blood clotting process and it helps to maintain the strong bones. t is used by the liver for the formation of prothrombin.
Vitamins contain sufficient energy for the body needs. It also includes the metabolic energy needed for the body. Through a proper diet we can get all types of vitamins for our physical activity. The absorption of fat may be affected for those persons who have digestive disorder. According to the advice of doctor and nutritionist we have to take additional vitamins in our regular life.
Through the vitamins and minerals we can maintain healthy life. But the excess of vitamins can cause side effects. If the vitamin A exceeds the required level it may cause irritability, weight loss, and dry itchy skin in children, headache, diarrhea in adults etc.
Folic acid works with the vitamin B12. It is used for developing the blood cells. Deficiency of folic acid leads to anemia. The sources of vitamin B12 include liver, which is found in beef, lamb and pork, green vegetables, citrus fruits, dried beans, fresh orange juice, tomatoes, wheat germ and whole grain products.