What's another name for biotin?

November 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that the body cannot synthesize on its own, making dietary intake essential. What's another name for biotin? The answer is twofold: it is most commonly known as Vitamin B7 and has also historically been called Vitamin H.

Quick Summary

Biotin is also known as Vitamin B7 and Vitamin H, playing a crucial role as a coenzyme in metabolic processes. It is important for converting food into energy and supporting healthy skin, hair, and nails. Deficiency is rare, as it is found in many foods and produced by gut bacteria.

Key Points

Vitamin B7: Biotin is most commonly referred to as Vitamin B7 within the B-complex group.
Vitamin H: The name Vitamin H comes from the German word for 'skin' (Haut) and reflects its role in skin health.
Coenzyme R: This name describes its function as a coenzyme, or cofactor, for critical metabolic enzymes.
Metabolic Support: Biotin is essential for several carboxylase enzymes involved in metabolizing fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids.
Dietary Sources: Rich sources include egg yolks, liver, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Deficiency is Rare: Because it is widely available in foods and produced by gut bacteria, deficiency is uncommon.
No Upper Limit: The US National Academy of Medicine has not established an upper intake limit for biotin due to a lack of evidence of adverse effects.

Common Names for Biotin

Biotin, an important member of the B-vitamin family, has several other designations. Its most well-known aliases are Vitamin B7 and Vitamin H, with another, more archaic name, being Coenzyme R. Each name offers a glimpse into the history and scientific understanding of this vital nutrient.

Vitamin B7

Within the broader classification of the B-complex vitamins, biotin is assigned the number seven. This simple, systematic nomenclature places it alongside other well-known B-vitamins like thiamine (B1) and riboflavin (B2). All B-vitamins are water-soluble, meaning the body does not store them, and a daily intake through diet or supplements is necessary to maintain adequate levels.

Vitamin H

The name Vitamin H is a historical designation for biotin, with the 'H' coming from the German word Haut, which means 'skin'. This name was given due to the early discovery that a deficiency of this vitamin could lead to skin-related issues. While less common today, the name persists and is still recognized in some contexts. It serves as a reminder of the vitamin's historical association with maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails, even though the evidence supporting its use for these purposes in healthy individuals is not robust.

Coenzyme R

The name Coenzyme R dates back to early research, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s, when scientists were still working to isolate and identify the substance. A coenzyme is a non-protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme. In this case, Biotin acts as a cofactor for several carboxylase enzymes, which are critical for various metabolic processes, including the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids.

Biotin's Role as a Coenzyme

Biotin's primary function in the body is to assist a group of enzymes called carboxylases. These enzymes are essential for a variety of metabolic activities that convert food into energy. Biotin-dependent carboxylases play a role in:

Fatty acid synthesis: Biotin is required for the enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which is the rate-limiting step in fatty acid production.
Gluconeogenesis: This is the process of generating glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. The enzyme pyruvate carboxylase, which requires biotin, is critical for this pathway.
Amino acid catabolism: Biotin-dependent enzymes are involved in breaking down certain amino acids, such as leucine and isoleucine.
Gene regulation: Research has shown that biotin also influences gene expression by binding to histones, which can affect the expression of over 2,000 genes in human cells.

Dietary Sources of Biotin

While biotin deficiency is rare, it is important to consume enough of this vitamin through food. The best sources include:

Egg yolks: A very rich source of biotin. Cooking denatures avidin, a protein in egg whites that can interfere with biotin absorption.
Organ meats: Liver and kidneys are particularly high in biotin.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds are good sources.
Legumes: Soybeans and peanuts contain biotin.
Whole Grains: Various whole-grain cereals and breads are fortified with or naturally contain biotin.
Vegetables: Cauliflower, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes are also decent sources.

Biotin vs. Other B-Vitamins: A Comparison


Feature	Biotin (B7 / H)	Thiamine (B1)	Riboflavin (B2)
Primary Function	Coenzyme for carboxylases, involved in fat, carb, and amino acid metabolism.	Involved in carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function.	Coenzyme in oxidation-reduction reactions, energy production.
Other Names	Vitamin H, Coenzyme R.	Aneurin.	Vitamin G, Lactoflavin.
Key Dietary Sources	Egg yolks, liver, nuts, seeds.	Whole grains, pork, yeast.	Milk, meat, eggs, green vegetables.
Deficiency Symptoms	Thinning hair, scaly rash, conjunctivitis.	Beriberi (nerve damage, heart failure).	Ariboflavinosis (skin and eye problems).

The Role of Biotin in Overall Health

While biotin is most famously associated with hair and nail health, its contributions to the body's overall function are far more fundamental. As a critical component of numerous metabolic pathways, it helps ensure that the body can efficiently convert the food we eat into usable energy. Its involvement in gluconeogenesis is especially important for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Furthermore, its recently discovered role in gene expression suggests a deeper, more profound impact on cellular health and function than previously understood. Although supplements are widely available, a balanced diet rich in biotin-containing foods is typically sufficient for healthy individuals to meet their daily needs.

Conclusion

In summary, asking "what's another name for biotin?" leads to the key alternative names of Vitamin B7, Vitamin H, and Coenzyme R. These designations highlight different facets of the vitamin, from its placement within the B-complex to its crucial metabolic function and historical association with skin health. Understanding these various names provides a more complete picture of this important water-soluble vitamin and its essential role in human biology.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, biotin and Vitamin B7 are two names for the exact same water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B7 is the numerical designation within the B-complex family, while biotin is the specific name of the compound.

Biotin was given the name Vitamin H from the German word Haut, which means 'skin'. Early research showed a connection between this vitamin and the health of skin, hair, and nails.

Coenzyme R is another historical name for biotin. It highlights biotin's role as a cofactor for several carboxylase enzymes that are essential for metabolic processes in the body.

Biotin plays a key role in metabolism by helping the body convert food (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) into usable energy. It is a necessary cofactor for enzymes that carry out these metabolic reactions.

Biotin is found in a wide variety of foods. Some of the best dietary sources include egg yolks, organ meats (liver), nuts and seeds, legumes, and certain vegetables like cauliflower and mushrooms.

Biotin deficiency is very rare in healthy people who consume a balanced diet. It is found in many foods, and intestinal bacteria can also produce it. Severe deficiency is usually associated with genetic disorders or excessive consumption of raw egg whites over a long period.

While excessive intake is generally not considered harmful for most people because it is water-soluble and any surplus is excreted through urine, extremely high doses can interfere with certain lab test results. The US National Academy of Medicine has not set a tolerable upper intake level due to insufficient evidence of adverse effects.