Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
vitamin
ApprovedGeneral information about nutrients. No diagnosis, no medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
Overview
Water-soluble B vitamin and cofactor for carboxylase enzymes. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
Interactions
Biotin-dependent carboxylases (acetyl-CoA carboxylase, pyruvate carboxylase) require Mg2+ as a cofactor for ATP binding in the carboxylation reaction.
Top 5 food sources
Expert opinions
Dr. Strunz
Strunz treats Biotin (B7) as a cofactor for five key carboxylase enzymes that drive gluconeogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, and branched-chain amino acid catabolism. He uses 2.5 to 5 mg (2,500 to 5,000 mcg) as part of a B-complex because biotin shares an SMVT transporter with pantothenate and lipoic acid, and imbalanced mega-dosing suppresses uptake of the others. Important clinical caution: supplemental biotin above 5 mg for 8+ hours can distort troponin, TSH, and T4 immunoassays and mask heart-attack diagnosis, so he pauses biotin 48 to 72 h before blood draws.
Recommended dose: 2.5–5 mg
Source: Dr. Strunz
Expert profiles summarise publicly available statements. The named people do not cooperate with Stackwell and have not authorised these summaries. Not medical advice.
No established UL. Very safe even at high doses. Can interfere with lab tests.