Biotin is a B-complex vitamin required by every cell in the body. B vitamins are a class of chemically distinct vitamins that help your body process food into energy. Also known as vitamin H, coenzyme R, and vitamin B7, biotin helps the body metabolize fats, protein,[1] and carbohydrates. The human body needs biotin for normal growth and development, and the vitamin is especially critical for healthy embryonic growth. Biotin can also help maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails.[2]
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, as opposed to fat-soluble. Unused water-soluble vitamins (C and B complex) pass quickly through the body and are excreted in urine. The body does not store them and supplies must be regularly replenished. And, because the body flushes excess amounts, water-soluble vitamins do not generally accumulate to toxic levels.
Biotin is crucial for good health and there are two sources from which the human body obtains it. The first is diet; the second is bacteria. Biotin can actually be synthesized by the microbiota — the beneficial bacteria in the gut.[3]
Biotin is a cofactor required by several carboxylase enzymes for carbon dioxide transfer. In more simple terms, biotin helps your cells metabolize fatty acids and amino acids, and further assists in the chemical formation of glucose from noncarbohydrate sources.[4] This means that biotin is crucial for maintaining a normal, balanced metabolism.[5]
Biotin is an important nutrient for healthy hair, nails, and skin. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of women with thinning hair found that biotin may be a capable supplement for encouraging healthy looking hair. The study found that women who took biotin supplements increased their hair count, volume, coverage, and thickness significantly compared to the control group.[6] A separate study found that biotin can help thicken and strengthen brittle fingernails.[7]
Biotin deficiency can lead to rashes and skin lesions.[8] Studies have found that supplementation can help remedy skin concerns caused by biotin deficiency.[9] In one notable instance, dogs with fur and skin conditions were given an oral biotin supplement. Sixty percent of the subjects showed complete recovery after treatment, with a further 31% reporting improvement. Only 9% showed no effect.[10]
Biotin plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. Multiple studies suggest that biotin by itself or in combination with chromium encourages normal blood sugar.[11, 12] Imbalanced blood sugar frequently accompanies low biotin levels;[13] both animal and human studies have found that adequate biotin supplementation may support healthy blood sugar levels.[14, 15] Further research is necessary to explore this effect before drawing conclusions.
Obtaining sufficient biotin is a concern for pregnant women.[16] Animal tests have found that biotin deficiency can cause birth defects.[17] Because biotin doesn’t pass easily to the fetus, a biotin deficiency can be magnified between mother and child. Even a mild or borderline biotin deficiency in the mother can result in a severe deficiency for the fetus. This can cause fetal development concerns, especially malformations of the skeletal system. According to one study, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may require more biotin in their diet than reported by current estimates.[16, 18]
Biotin deficiency is a rare but serious condition. Symptoms include dry skin, dry eyes, hair loss, cracking in the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the tongue, loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia, and depression.[3]
The most common causes of biotin deficiency are certain medications and conditions that reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Biotinidase deficiency is a genetic disorder which prevents the body from properly recycling biotin. Extreme cases can cause seizures, reduced muscle tone, breathing concerns, balance concerns, deafness, blindness, and candida infection. It can also cause developmental concerns in children.[18] Biotin deficiency can also affect alcoholics and people with inflammatory bowel disease.[19]
Those suffering from biotin deficiency should avoid egg whites. Eggs whites contain avidin, a protein that binds to biotin and reduces its ability to be absorbed by the body. Biotin deficiency caused by a diet high in egg whites actually has a name — egg white injury, and eczema is a common symptom.[20] Ironically, egg yolks are an excellent source of biotin.
Fortunately, the symptoms of biotin deficiency are easily remedied. It should come as no surprise that the solution to a biotin deficiency is more biotin.
The very best way to supply your body with the right amount of biotin is to eat plenty of biotin-rich foods. Foods rich in biotin are the same foods that are generally good sources of B vitamins. Animal sources like pork, organ meat, egg yolk, and milk are biotin-rich, but unappealing to those of us on a plant-based diet. Vegan sources include yeast, legumes, avocados, nuts, and (happily) chocolate.[21]
| Vegan Food Sources of Biotin | ||
|---|---|---|
| Food | Serving Size | Biotin (micrograms) |
| Yeast | 1 packet (7 grams) | 1.4 - 4 |
| Bread, whole wheat | 1 slice | .02 - 6 |
| Avocado | 1 whole | 2 - 6 |
| Raspberries | 1 cup | .2 - 2 |
| Cauliflower, raw | 1 cup | .2 - 2 |
Because biotin has gone relatively understudied compared to other vitamins, no official Recommended Dietary Allowance has been set. A wide range of recommended intakes have been proposed, but a consensus remains elusive. There are even disagreements between branches of the same agencies. The U.S. National Library of Medicine recommends a daily biotin intake of around 30 micrograms (mcg) for adults [12], while the National Institutes of Health posits an intake closer to 300 mcg. [22]
I recommend a daily intake closer to the high end of that wide spectrum. As a water-soluble vitamin, all excess biotin is quickly passed from the body anyway. The lower figures only report the adequate intake for biotin. Adequate levels are not the same as optimal levels. The optimal amount of biotin for your age, gender, and health situation may be higher. It’s also a “better safe than sorry” situation. Too little biotin can be ruinous to your health, but as a water-soluble vitamin, too much would just pass harmlessly through your system. Individual requirements may vary, but use the following table as a good rule of thumb concerning daily biotin intake.
| Life Stage | Adequate Intake (AI) for Biotin, Daily |
|---|---|
| Infants | 50 mcg |
| Children under 4 | 150 mcg |
| Adults and Children Over 4 | 300 mcg |
| Pregnant and Lactating Women | 300 mcg |
Please note that these figures report the adequate intake for biotin. Adequate levels are not the same as optimal levels. The optimal amount of biotin may vary by age, gender, and health situation.
Biotin is non-toxic,[23] but may interact with certain medications metabolized by the liver.[12] Always consult a healthcare professional before you start any new supplement. Always take supplements as directed.
While food is always the best way to provide your body with the nutrients it needs, supplementation may be necessary if your diet doesn’t provide consistent, complete nutrition. If you do add a biotin supplement to your diet, understand you have several options. Biotin is available by itself, combined with other B-complex vitamins, or in a general multivitamin. Whichever you decide, make sure it’s a high-quality product. Supplements that provide plant-sourced nutrients instead of synthetic, lab-generated nutrients are ideal. There are several varieties of biotin. I recommend d-biotin, the only form of active, naturally-occurring biotin.
Global Healing recently introduced a new biotin supplement. Our biotin is plant-based, natural, and vegan. We’ve received great feedback. If you’re not getting enough biotin in your diet, ask your trusted healthcare practitioner about if a biotin supplement is right for you. Together, you can formulate a strategy based on your individual needs and situation.
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