What is biotin?

Biotin (vitamin B7, vitamin H) is a water-soluble vitamin and helps the body to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It is involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels and plays a key role in the growth and maintenance of healthy skin, hair and nails. Biotin is often used in beauty products to improve hair and nail quality.

Signs of a biotin deficiency include loss of appetite, depressive moods, hair loss, brittle fingernails, skin diseases and lipometabolic disorders. As soon as the body is sufficiently supplied with biotin again, the symptoms disappear.

Genetic variations can change the activity of certain biotin-dependent enzymes and increase or reduce the need for biotin.

Examples of biotin-rich foods:

Good to know

Biotin is mainly found in higher concentrations in brewer's yeast flakes. It is therefore worth adding 1 to 2 tablespoons (3 to 6 g) of brewer's yeast flakes to various foods every day. This can be muesli in the morning, yoghurt in the morning, soup at lunchtime, a salad as a side dish or a vegetable dish in the evening. The taste of brewer's yeast is neutral to slightly spicy.

What does genetics have to do with it?