Biotin

# What is biotin? Biotin (vitamin B7, vitamin H) is a water-soluble vitamin and helps the body to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It is involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels and plays a key role in the growth and maintenance of healthy skin, hair and nails. Biotin is often used in beauty products to improve hair and nail quality. Signs of a biotin deficiency include loss of appetite, depressive moods, hair loss, brittle fingernails, skin diseases and lipometabolic disorders. As soon as the body is sufficiently supplied with biotin again, the symptoms disappear. Genetic variations can change the activity of certain biotin-dependent enzymes and increase or reduce the need for biotin. ## Examples of biotin-rich foods: > ## Good to know > > Biotin is mainly found in higher concentrations in brewer's yeast flakes. It is therefore worth adding 1 to 2 tablespoons (3 to 6 g) of brewer's yeast flakes to various foods every day. This can be muesli in the morning, yoghurt in the morning, soup at lunchtime, a salad as a side dish or a vegetable dish in the evening. The taste of brewer's yeast is neutral to slightly spicy. # What does genetics have to do with it? We are investigating a gene for biotin metabolism: The BTD gene (biotinidase gene) carries the blueprint in the cells for the enzyme biotinidase, which releases biotin (vitamin H) from food and makes it available for the body. Without this enzyme, the body cannot absorb biotin, which in turn can lead to a deficiency. People with certain SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in the BTD gene may have difficulty absorbing biotin properly, which can lead to deficiency symptoms. Inadequate intake of biotin due to variants that inhibit absorption can be associated with a wide range of problems or symptoms, including hair loss, skin rashes, anemia and neurological problems. - Variant rs13078881 of the BTD gene: Genotypes C/G and C/C show severely restricted biotinidase activity and consequently a lack of biotin. - Variant rs28934601 of the BTD gene: Genotypes A/G and G/G show severely restricted biotinidase activity and consequently a lack of biotin, whereby the deficiency is somewhat more severe in the G/G type. The A/A genotype, on the other hand, shows normal biotinidase activity. - Variant rs13073139 of the BTD gene: The A/A and A/G genotypes show severely restricted biotinidase activity and consequently a lack of biotin, with the deficiency being somewhat more severe in the A/A type. The G/G genotype, on the other hand, shows normal biotinidase activity.