Why Is Biotin So Important

Biotin, a member of the B-complex vitamins, goes by many names, most notably vitamin B7, vitamin H and coenzyme R, and is also referred to as the 'W factor.' It is found not only in meats, dairy, whole grains, yeast, egg yolks and legumes, but fruits and vegetables as well. Biotin is a water soluble vitamin, but is also produced in our intestines.

Biotin is especially helpful for a number of conditions such as cancer treatment, diabetes, heart disease, neurological issues, hair loss, brittles nails, and skin problems. Certain things can interfere with the absorption of biotin, including intestinal conditions such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, consuming egg whites, and anti-seizure medications.

Vitamin B7 is particularly important for the health of our skin, nails and hair which is why it is often found in high-end haircare products.

Biotin is necessary for the production of insulin in the body which controls the balance of sugar in the blood. This is particularly good news for those with diabetes and those at risk for developing diabetes.

Biotin is also important in the conversion of the foods we eat into energy. It assists the body in metabolizing proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Vitamin B7 also helps synthesize carbohydrates and fats into healthy sugar, and is instrumental in converting proteins into amino acids. Because the amount of glucose in our blood system is directly related to the amount of biotin we have, the more biotin we obtain from the foods we eat, the better the balance of blood sugar in our bodies.

Fruits and Vegetables Highest in Biotin

There are a number of vegetables that are exceptional sources of biotin. These include tomatoes, onions, romaine lettuce, carrots and cauliflower.

Good sources for vitamin B7 are sweet potatoes, raspberries, watermelon, bananas, strawberries, cucumbers and grapefruit.

A number of nuts are also very good resources for biotin, and include walnuts, almonds and peanuts.

Let's look at my favorite juice and smoothie recipe rich in biotin.

Ingredients

• 4 Carrots
• 1 Banana
• 4 Strawberries
• 1/2 Cucumber
• 2 Cherry Tomatoes
• 4 leaves of Romaine Lettuce
• 2 tablespoons Walnuts
• As a smoothie add 1 to 2 cups of water or your favorite milk (dairy, oat, rice, coconut, almond, etc.)

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes

• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 20 oz.

Preparation

• As a juice, place all ingredients in your juice machine except the walnuts and banana - these should be blended and then added to your juice.