Also known as vitamin H or biotin, vitamin B7 is one of the vitamins that are part of the B complex. One of the benefits of vitamin B7 is that it helps the body transform food into energy.

The word "biotin" comes from the ancient Greek "biotos", which means "life" or "food". B vitamins help maintain the health of the skin, hair, liver, eyes and nervous system. It also contains essential nutrients during pregnancy, being important for the development of the embryo.

Vitamin B7 can be obtained in sufficient quantities from healthy foods. However, it appears that, if consumed in larger amounts, biotin can regulate blood sugar and improve the health of hair, skin and nails. Also, pregnant women who take as much biotin as possible can give birth to healthier children.

 

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5 benefits of vitamin B7

This vitamin is necessary for the body because it can metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Specifically, it is a coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes. These enzymes are involved in:

- gluconeogenesis or glucose generation

- synthesizing or creating fatty acids

- synthesizing the amino acids valine and isoleucine

More functions of the body are possible with the help of vitamin B7.


Maintaining a healthy pregnancy
Some women face a slight biotin deficiency during pregnancy. The situation is quite serious, because this deficit can lead to the abnormal development of the fetus.

Doctors recommend women to take folic acid supplements both a year before and during pregnancy. It is also important that they take a multivitamin that contains at least 30 mcg of biotin per day, in addition to folic acid, to reduce the risk of a deficiency.


Benefits for nails, hair and skin
Among the benefits of vitamin B7 is the improvement of nail strength and hair and skin health. In a study published in 1989, researchers found that of 45 patients who took a 2.5 mg daily supplement, 91% had "firmer and stronger nails" after 5 months.

Also, other researchers concluded that people suffering from brittle nail syndrome improved their symptoms after taking vitamin B7 supplements in daily doses of 2.5 mg or a daily dose of 10 mg of silicon.

According to studies published in 2015, women who had thinning hair lost fewer hairs after taking marine protein supplements for 90 days. However, vitamin B7 was only one ingredient in these supplements, and the study was sponsored by a company that sells health and beauty products.

The authorities in the field claim, however, that more evidence is needed to prove that vitamin B7 supplements can strengthen nails and improve hair health.


The benefits of vitamin B7 in the process of reducing blood sugar
Researchers tested in several studies the ability of vitamin B7 to reduce blood sugar in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. And the studies showed interesting and promising results. Moreover, following animal research, it has been shown that this vitamin stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas, which subsequently lowers blood sugar.

Research published in 2016 indicated that people with type I diabetes who took biotin kept their blood sugar under control.

However, more research is needed to confirm the effects of biotin on blood sugar.


Vitamin B7 benefits for patients with neuropathy
Also, among the benefits of vitamin B7 is the ability to reduce nerve damage in people who suffer from diabetes or who have kidney failure and undergo dialysis. Scientists discovered in 1990 that three patients who took vitamin B7 in high doses, for 1-2 years, visibly improved their symptoms.

In addition, this vitamin is essential for the activity of pyruvate carboxylase. Without the help of biotin, pyruvate and aspartate can reach dangerously high levels, and this can damage the nerves. However, more research is needed to confirm this.


The benefits of vitamin B7 in the treatment of multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system, causing muscle weakness and a number of other medical problems. Research has shown that people with multiple sclerosis who took high doses of biotin improved their symptoms.

In addition, according to results published in 2016, vitamin B7 therapy was considered safe. Some study participants reduced their symptoms after taking high doses of biotin three times a day for 9 months.