Nutrition Information

Biotin

by Pierre S. Aoukar, MD and Hratch L. Karamanoukian, MD
Posted: February 28

Also known as Vitamin H, biotin is a B-complex vitamin that is required by the body for the proper function of insulin and the synthesis of amino and fatty acids, the building blocks of proteins and fats, respectively. Optimal sources include bananas, carrots, cauliflower, cereals, soy, and yeast. Diabetics have the most to gain from obtaining more than adequate sources of biotin. Diabetes is not just a risk factor for heart disease, it is a risk equivalent. In other words, diabetes is such an aggressive disease that if you are a diabetic, you are already considered to have heart disease. A study comparing non-insulin-dependent diabetics to non-diabetics, showed that supplementation with biotin decreased blood glucose levels by 45%. In a separate study, biotin was shown to stimulate pancreatic insulin secretion in rats. The key to controlling diabetes is control of blood sugar. A diet high in plant foods will not only be high in biotin, but high in fiber, complex carbohydrates, and antioxidants, as well—factors that help control blood sugar, reduce the risk for developing diabetes and, ultimately, reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Reference:
Biotin, Excerpt from the book: Everything Good For The Heart: The A to Z Guide, Aoukar PS and Karamanoukian HL. Magalhaes Scientific Press

Additional Notes:
Maebashi M, Makino Y, Furukawa Y, Ohinata K, Kimura S, Sato T. Therapeutic evaluation of the effect of biotin on hyperglycemia in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 1993;14:211-218.

Romero-Navarro G, Cabrera-Valladares G, German MS, et al. Biotin regulation of pancreatic glucokinase and insulin in primary cultured rat islets and in biotin-deficient rats. Endocrinology. 1999;140(10):4595-4600.