Biotin (vitamin 7)
Synopsis
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin essential for a wide range of metabolic processes, especially those involving carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It acts as a coenzyme for several carboxylase enzymes, supporting energy production, amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid synthesis. Biotin is naturally present in foods like eggs, liver, nuts, seeds, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, and is also produced in small amounts by gut bacteria.
The body requires biotin for:
- Healthy hair, skin, and nails
- Nervous system function and mood balance
- Blood sugar regulation through its role in glucose metabolism
- Gene expression and DNA synthesis
- Prenatal development, especially for embryonic growth
Biotin deficiency is rare but may occur in people with genetic disorders, chronic alcohol use, long-term antibiotic therapy, or excessive raw egg white consumption (due to avidin binding biotin). Symptoms may include:
- Thinning hair or hair loss
- Scaly rash around eyes, nose, or mouth
- Fatigue, depression, and neurological issues
- Muscle pain or tingling in the limbs
Biotin is commonly used in supplements aimed at:
- Hair and nail growth
- Skin health
- Prenatal support
- Metabolic and energy-enhancing formulas
Typical doses range from 30–100 mcg/day for general support, though many cosmetic supplements contain 2,500–10,000 mcg, despite a lack of evidence that megadoses provide additional benefits in healthy individuals.
Historical Use:
Biotin was first isolated in the early 20th century through studies on egg-white injury in animals fed raw egg whites, which led to symptoms later identified as biotin deficiency. It was originally called “vitamin H” (from the German Haar and Haut, meaning hair and skin) due to its noticeable role in maintaining skin integrity and hair health.
Though biotin itself is a modern discovery, the foods rich in it—organ meats, egg yolks, seeds, and leafy greens—have long been part of traditional diets that supported energy, fertility, and skin radiance. In traditional medicine systems, these foods were prescribed for weakness, brittle hair, poor skin tone, and low vitality, all of which reflect biotin’s known functions today.
Currently, biotin remains one of the most popular ingredients in cosmeceutical supplements, despite the fact that only those with deficiencies typically see dramatic improvements. It plays a quiet but critical role in overall metabolic health, particularly in energy production, skin renewal, and neurological function.
Uses: Health Conditions
Fingernails (weak or brittle) (Traditional)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Traditional)
Body Systems
Sympathetic Nervous System (Traditional)
Hair (Traditional)
Nails (Traditional)
Nerves (Traditional)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Products containing this ingredient
Designs For Health
Acnutrol™ capsules
Integrative Therapeutics
Active B-Complex
Vitabase
Active Man's Formula
Vitabase
Active Woman's Multi
Metagenics
AdvaClear
Metagenics
AdvaClear
Thorne
Advanced Nutrients Multivitamin
Metagenics
Axis Endo™ Mango
Douglas Laboratories
B-Complex
Vitabase
B-Complex 100 mg Sustained Release
Thorne
B-Complex #12
Thorne
B-Complex #6
Pure Encapsulations
B-Complex Plus
Pure Encapsulations
B-Complex Plus
Designs For Health
B-Supreme
Designs For Health
B-Supreme
Pure Encapsulations
B6 Complex
Pure Encapsulations
B6 Complex
Thorne
Basic B Complex
Thorne
Basic Nutrients 2/Day Multivitamin
Thorne
Basic Prenatal Multivitamin
Thorne
Biotin
Vitabase
Biotin
Pure Encapsulations
Biotin 8 mg
Pure Encapsulations
Biotin 8 mg
Douglas Laboratories
Biotin 8 mg
Pure Encapsulations
Biotin Complex Hair & Skin
Vitabase
Blood Sugar Formula
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Vanilla
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics
Clear Change Daily Essentials
Integrative Therapeutics
Clinical Nutrients HP
Designs For Health
Detox Antiox™
Integrative Therapeutics
Detoxication Factors
Integrative Therapeutics
Detoxication Factors
Designs For Health
Detoxification Support Packets
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations
Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Metagenics
Fem Prenatal®
Metagenics
GI Sustain™ Powder
Pure Encapsulations
GlucoFunction
Pure Encapsulations
GlucoFunction
Metagenics
Glutagenics
Integrative Therapeutics
Glycemic Manager
Metagenics
Glycogenics
Designs For Health
H-S-N Radiance™
Vitabase
Hair, Skin & Nails Formula
Pure Encapsulations
Hair/Skin/Nails Ultra
Douglas Laboratories
Juvenon Pro Cognitive
Integrative Therapeutics
K-PAX MitoNutrients
Metagenics
Ketogenic Shake Chocolate
Metagenics
Ketogenic Shake Vanilla
Klean Athlete
Klean Antioxidant ™
Klean Athlete
Klean B-Complex
Klean Athlete
Klean Focus®
Klean Athlete
Klean Multivitamin ™
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Designs For Health
Liposomal B Supreme
Vitabase
Liquid Collagen Toasted Cinnamon
Douglas Laboratories
Liquid Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
LiquiNutrients
Thorne
MediClear Plus
Thorne
Men's Multi 50+
Designs For Health
Metabolic Synergy™
Designs For Health
Metabolic Synergy™
Metagenics
MetaGlycemX™
Metagenics
MetaGlycemX
Metagenics
MetaKids Multi Soft Chew Grape
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
Multi t/d
Pure Encapsulations
Multi t/d
Thorne
Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne
Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Metagenics
Multigenics®
Metagenics
Multigenics Chewable Orange
Metagenics
Multigenics Intensive Care
Metagenics
Multigenics Intensive Care without Iron
Metagenics
Multigenics without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics
Multiplex-1 No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations
NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® A without Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® with NAC
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® with Vitamin K
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Copper, Iron & Iodine
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Iron
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics
Nutrivitamin No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health
PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Designs For Health
PaleoMeal®
Designs For Health
PaleoMeal®
Integrative Therapeutics
Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
Integrative Therapeutics
Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics
Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics
Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics
PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
Metagenics
PhytoMulti With Iron
Metagenics
PhytoMulti Without Iron
Metagenics
PhytoMultivitamin
Designs For Health
Plant Protein Cleanse
Designs For Health
Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Designs For Health
Plant Protein Meal
Designs For Health
Plant Protein Meal Plus
Designs For Health
Plant Protein Meal
Metagenics
PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Pure Encapsulations
Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
Polyphenol Nutrients
Douglas Laboratories
Prenatal
Pure Encapsulations
PreNatal Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
PreNatal Nutrients
Designs For Health
Prenatal Pro™
Designs For Health
Primal Multi™
Integrative Therapeutics
ProThrivers Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureGenomics® B-Complex
Pure Encapsulations
PureGenomics® Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureLean® Protein
Pure Encapsulations
PurePals
Pure Encapsulations
PurePals with Iron
Pure Encapsulations
PureResponse™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
RevitalAge™ Ultra
Thorne
Stress B-Complex
Douglas Laboratories
Stress-B-Plus ™
Vitabase
Super Stress Formula
Integrative Therapeutics
Testosterone Formula
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Essential Packets
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra B-Complex
Pure Encapsulations
Ultra B-Complex with PQQ
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ® 2 Daily
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive 50+ -EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
ULTRA PREVENTIVE® III W/COPPER
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ® Kids Grape Flavor
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ® Kids Orange Flavor
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive One Daily
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Protein Green
Pure Encapsulations
Ultra Pure Pack
Metagenics
UltraClear Detox Powder
Metagenics
UltraClear Plus® Detox Powder
Metagenics
UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics
UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics
UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics
UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
UltraDetox 10-Day Pure Pack
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics
UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Metagenics
UltraMeal Rice Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro Nutrients
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Designs For Health
Whole Beauty Collagen™
Thorne
Women's Multi 50+
Pure Encapsulations
Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
Women's Nutrients
Designs For Health
Women's Twice Daily Essential Packets