Vitamin B7

Figure 1. The chemical structure of Vitamin B7 (or Biotin).

Vitamin B7 or Biotin is a micronutrient and one of eight essential B vitamins. Vitamin B7 is a water soluble vitamin and it is involved in a wide range of metabolic processes mainly in the utilisation of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. Vitamin B7 is a coenzyme for five carboxylase enzymes, which are involved in the digestion of carbohydrates, synthesis of fatty acids, and gluconeogenesis. Vitamin B7 also helps to regulate signals sent by cells and the activity of genes.

Food Sources

Some examples of food sources for Vitamin B7 include:

• Beef liver
• Eggs
• Salmon
• Avocados
• Pork
• Sweet potato
• Nuts, seeds

Taken as a Dietary Supplement

As a dietary supplement, Vitamin B7 is used to treat Vitamin B7 deficiency conditions. While rare, Vitamin B7 deficiency can occur due to poor dietary intake or certain inhibitory conditions (such as from alcoholism or genetic mutations). Symptoms of Vitamin B7 deficiency may include:

• Thinning hair
• Scaly skin rashes around eyes, nose, mouth
• Brittle nails

The Adequate Intake for Vitamin B7 for men and women 19+ years and for pregnant women is 30mcg daily. Lactating women need 35mcg daily. Being a water soluble vitamin, Vitamin B7 is well tolerated in the human body thus unlikely to cause adverse side effects from high Vitamin B7 intake.