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Supplements/Vitamin

Biotin (B7)

aka Vitamin B7 · Vitamin H

Coenzyme for carboxylases — popular for hair and nails despite weak data outside true deficiency.

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Overview

Coenzyme for carboxylases — popular for hair and nails despite weak data outside true deficiency.

Natural sources
  • Whole-food sources (animal products for fat-soluble and B-complex vitamins; produce for water-soluble vitamins)
  • Fortified foods (cereals, dairy, plant milks, nutritional yeast)
  • Multivitamins or stand-alone supplements in synthetic or food-derived form
Common forms
  • Capsule or softgel
  • Sublingual tablet or liquid
  • Methylated active form for sensitive individuals
  • Multivitamin matrix

Forms & variants of Biotin (B7)

Different chemical forms of Biotin (B7) behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Mechanism of action

Cofactor for 5 carboxylases involved in gluconeogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism.

Pathways
  • · Carboxylase activity
  • · Keratin substrate availability

Effects on the body

Supports
Reverses hair/nail issues in biotin deficiency
Supports
hair growth in non-deficient adults

Organ system effects

Skin

Biotin (B7) supports collagen synthesis, antioxidant defense, or barrier function in skin and integumentary tissues.

Evidence-based benefits

Reverses hair/nail issues in biotin deficiency

Strong evidence

Improves hair growth in non-deficient adults

Limited evidence

Potential side effects

Common
    Rare
    • · Acne flare
    Serious
    • · Falsely alters thyroid/troponin lab assays at high dose

    Drug interactions

    Thyroid/troponin lab tests
    Hold 48h before bloodwork.
    moderate

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with
    • Collagen peptides
      Provides amino acid substrate for connective tissue synthesis.
    • Vitamin C
      Required cofactor for collagen hydroxylation.
    Avoid combining with

    No specific avoidances listed.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    30 mcg (RDA)
    Study range
    2,500–10,000 mcg in hair use
    Best form
    Most evidence is based on the capsule or softgel form.
    Timing
    Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
    With food?
    Optional

    Where to buy

    Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

    Scientific evidence9Show studies
    Systematic reviewSkin Appendage Disord · 2017

    Biotin for hair and nail growth

    Patel DP, et al.

    Review of biotin trials in hair/nail disorders.

    Key findings

    Benefits limited to documented biotin deficiency.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Biotin (B7) — Reverses hair/nail issues in biotin deficiency

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Biotin (B7) Reverses hair/nail issues in biotin deficiency" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Biotin (B7) and "Reverses hair/nail issues in biotin deficiency". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Biotin (B7) — Improves hair growth in non-deficient adults

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Biotin (B7) Improves hair growth in non-deficient adults" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Biotin (B7) and "Improves hair growth in non-deficient adults". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Biotin (B7) — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Biotin (B7) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Biotin (B7) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Biotin (B7) — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Biotin (B7) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Biotin (B7) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Biotin (B7) — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Biotin (B7) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Biotin (B7) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Biotin (B7) — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Biotin (B7) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Biotin (B7) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Biotin (B7) — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Biotin (B7) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Biotin (B7) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Biotin (B7) — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Biotin (B7) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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