What is it?
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, also called B7. It is used by enzymes called carboxylases.
What does it do?
It participates in fat, glucose and amino acid metabolism. Its role does not demonstrate that supplementation improves hair or nails in everyone.
Absorption and use
Availability depends on the form and food matrix. No universal percentage is assigned to preparations.
Two routes, different evidence
By mouth
No single percentage is assigned to all forms, doses and conditions. See the context in the relevant section.
Intravenous
Intravenous administration bypasses the intestine. This describes the route of administration; it does not demonstrate clinical benefit or greater effectiveness.
Foods and nutritional context
Cooked eggs, certain fish, meat, seeds and nuts contribute to the diet.
Understanding requirements
The nutritional reference concerns the diet and does not define a dose for an infusion bag.
Deficiency, excess and limitations
Biotin can interfere with certain laboratory tests. People taking preparations that contain it should tell the professional requesting the tests.
Sources and further reading
For information. A substance’s physiological role does not establish the effectiveness of an infusion.