Healthopedia.com - Your Health
Encyclopedia

Set Homepage Email Page Favorites      

 
  Home
  Health Centers
  Medical Encyclopedia
  Drugs & Medications
  Diseases & Conditions 
  Medical Symptoms
  Medical Tests & Exams
  Surgery & Procedures 
  Injuries & Wounds
  Diet & Nutrition
  Special Topics
  Pictures & Images      


Google
 
Web Healthopedia.com

You are here : Healthopedia.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diet and Nutrition > Pantothenic Acid and Biotin
      Category : Health Centers > Food, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Pantothenic Acid and Biotin

Overview & Description | Functions and Sources | Attribution


Pantothenic acid and biotin are water-soluble vitamins. They are two of the eight B vitamins. The B vitamin complex includes vitamins B1, niacin, B6, B12, folate, biotin, and pantothenic acid.

Information

There are no established recommended daily allowances, or RDAs, for these vitamins. However, a safe and adequate amount for adults for pantothenic acid is 4 to 7 milligrams per day. For biotin the recommendation is 30 to 100 micrograms per day.

There are no toxic effects for pantothenic acid other than diarrhea. There is no known benefit to taking large doses. Because it is so common in food, deficiency is rare for people who eat a healthy diet.

There are no toxic effects for biotin. Although biotin deficiency is rare, consuming a large amount of raw egg whites can cause biotin deficiency. This is due to a protein in egg whites, avidin, that blocks the absorption of biotin. The protein is destroyed in cooking so cooked egg whites are not a problem. Long-term use of antibiotics could also interfere with the production of biotin, and increase the risk of deficiency. Deficiency symptoms include:

  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • depression
  • muscle pain and weakness
  • fatigue
  • hair loss, known as alopecia

  •    

    Next section

       

    Pantothenic Acid and Biotin: Functions and Sources

    Author: Kimberly Tessmer, RD, LD
    Reviewer: Jane Hemminger, RD, LD
    Date Reviewed: 03/28/01









    Content provided by The Patient Marketing Group, Inc.

    Copyright © 2006 Healthopedia.com All Rights reserved.
    About Us | Help/FAQ | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
    Contact Us | Link to Us

    HONcode accreditation seal.

    We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.


    The information provided herein is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The information should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call your local emergency number for all medical emergencies. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
    Page Last Updated: 30th May, 2006