Remedy List
Description of biotin
Biotin is a naturally occurring coenzyme made by bacteria in the intestine and aids in the breakdown of
foods into usable parts. Normal levels of biotin result in healthy hair, skin and fingernails. Biotin can also
be used to treat diabetes because it increases insulin sensitivity and helps the liver use glucose more
efficiently. Claims that biotin can prevent balding or graying of hair have not been successfully proven.
The human body has the capacity to create and maintain healthy levels of biotin so deficiencies are rare. A
deficiency of biotin may sometimes exist in very young children whose bodies have not yet produced
sufficient levels of biotin. Biotin can treat children with a hair cowlick and cradle cap (dry skin on the
head). Substances that can inhibit the body's production of biotin include tobacco smoke, excessive raw
egg whites, and long-term doses of antibiotics. Foods that encourage the production of biotin are cheese,
beef liver, brewer's yeast, bananas, salmon, soybeans and chicken. There are no known side effects of
biotin and extra doses of the nontoxic substance will be eliminated naturally through the digestive process.
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