Overview

Vitamin B7, or biotin, is a water-soluble vitamin that covalently activates carboxylase enzymes. See Vitamin B7 and B-complex vitamins.

Mechanism

Biotin-dependent enzymes participate in gluconeogenesis, fatty-acid synthesis, amino-acid catabolism, and propionate metabolism.

Uses

Biotin treats deficiency, which is uncommon but may occur with genetic disorders, prolonged raw egg-white consumption, malnutrition, or certain medicines. It is also used diagnostically in selected inherited conditions.

Dosage

Adequate intake for adults is about 30 micrograms/day, with 35 micrograms during lactation. High-dose products can interfere with thyroid, hormone, cardiac, and other laboratory tests; tell clinicians and laboratories about biotin use.

Adverse effects

Biotin is generally well tolerated, but laboratory-test interference can cause dangerous misinterpretation, including falsely abnormal cardiac or endocrine results.

Claims and evidence

Biotin corrects deficiency. Evidence is insufficient that high-dose biotin improves hair, skin, nails, or metabolic health in people without deficiency.

Research

Research examines gene regulation, biotinidase deficiency, multiple sclerosis, and reliable methods for reducing assay interference.