Vitamin B7

Definition

Vitamin B7, also known as Biotin, is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to the B vitamin group, important for hormone production and supporting the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the body.

A small amount of Biotin can be produced by some bacteria in the intestines, while the rest needs to be supplemented through daily diet from foods.

Uses

Here are the outstanding uses of vitamin B7:

• Improve skin health: Biotin helps regenerate skin cells, reduce dermatitis, eczema and soothe irritated skin.
• Improve hair health: Vitamin B7 helps strengthen hair, reduce hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
• Strengthen nails: Biotin helps strengthen nails, reduce brittle nails, and break easily.
• Support energy metabolism: Biotin participates in the process of converting carbohydrates, proteins and fats into energy.
• Improve blood sugar: Vitamin B7 can help stabilize blood sugar, which is especially important for people with diabetes.
• Protect the heart: Biotin helps reduce blood cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Improve nerve function: Vitamin B7 plays an important role in maintaining healthy nerve function.

Needs

Daily vitamin B7 (Biotin) needs vary depending on each person’s age, gender, and health status. Here is some general information about vitamin B7 needs:

Children:

• 0-6 months: 5 mcg/day
• 7-12 months: 6-8 mcg/day
• 1-3 years: 8 mcg/day
• 4-8 years: 12 mcg/day
• 9-13 years: 20 mcg/day
• Adolescents: 25 mcg/day
• Adults: 30 mcg/day
• Pregnant women: 30 mcg/day
• Breastfeeding women: 35 mcg/day

How to supplement

Dietary supplementation

To supplement vitamin B7 safely and effectively, you should focus on natural food sources. Foods rich in Biotin include: Animals such as liver, egg yolks and red meat; Plants such as nuts (almonds, walnuts), beans, mushrooms, broccoli, bananas and fermented foods such as yogurt.

Oral supplementation (pills)

Biotin supplements offer many advantages such as ease of use, convenience and accurate dosage, especially suitable for people with limited diets or those who do not absorb biotin well from food.

However, some disadvantages should also be noted, such as the possibility of side effects if overdosed and should not be used without consulting a doctor.

Vitamin B7 supplementation via intravenous infusion

In this method, Vitamin B7 is delivered directly into the blood, without having to go through the digestive process, helping the body to absorb it quickly and effectively achieve the desired concentration in the blood.

People who have difficulty absorbing vitamin B7 through the digestive tract, such as patients with intestinal diseases, can choose the intravenous infusion method to ensure that the body is provided with enough vitamin B7.

With IV Vitamin B7, your doctor can accurately adjust the dose of intravenous vitamin B7, helping to avoid excess or deficiency of the vitamin.

In cases of severe vitamin B7 deficiency, intravenous infusion helps improve symptoms more quickly and effectively than oral supplementation.

Side effects

When the body absorbs too much vitamin B7, the following problems may occur:

• Reduced resistance and reduced vitamin C levels in the body.
• High blood sugar levels.
• Vitamin B7 deficiency and negative effects on the nervous system.
• Causes skin rashes.
• Adverse effects on the liver and affects insulin release.
• Causes digestive disorders.
• Increases urine output and puts a lot of pressure on the kidneys.

Interactions

• There are some compounds that have antagonistic effects with Biotin, including: Avidin, biotin sulfone, desthiobiotin and some imidazolidone carboxylic acids.