Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is a water-soluble B vitamin that serves as an essential cofactor for several carboxylase enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and gluconeogenesis. Research suggests that biotin plays a meaningful role in supporting healthy hair, skin, and nails, with studies indicating that supplementation may be particularly beneficial for individuals with existing biotin deficiency, where brittle nails and thinning hair are common symptoms. Emerging research has also explored biotin's potential role in supporting healthy blood sugar levels by influencing insulin signaling and glucose metabolism, though findings remain preliminary. During pregnancy, adequate biotin intake is considered important, as studies indicate that marginal deficiency is relatively common among pregnant women and may affect normal embryonic development. D-biotin is the naturally occurring and most widely studied supplemental form.