According to Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James F Balch, MD and Phylis A Balch, CNC....
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Biotin aids in cell growth, in fatty acid production, in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and in the utilization of the B-complex viatmins. Sufficient quantities are needed for healty hair and skin. Biotin may prevent hair loss in some men. Biotin also promotes healthy sweat glands, nerve tissue, and bone marrow.
A deficiency of this B vitamin is rare because it can be produced in the intestines from food.
Sources
Biotin is found in cooked egg yolk, salt-water fish, meat, milk, poultry, soybeans, whole grains, and yeast.
Warnings
Raw egg whites contain a protein called ovidin, which combines with biotin in the intestinal tract and depletes the body of this needed nutrient. A dry, scaly scalp and/or face in infants, called seborrheic dermatitis may indicate a deficiency. Consuming rancid fats or saccharin inhibits biotin absorption. The use of sulfa drugs and antibiotics threatens the availability of biotin.
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