Typical dose
Oral: 30-100 mcg daily for Adequate Intake (AI)....
Oral
Oral safety: harmless
About this supplement
d-Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is the biologically active enantiomer of biotin. It is a water-soluble B-vitamin that serves as an essential cofactor for five carboxylase enzymes involved in critical metabolic processes including gluconeogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, and amino acid catabolism. Biotin is covalently attached to these enzymes via a lysine residue, where it acts as a carrier of activated carbon dioxide. The 'd-' prefix indicates the dextrorotatory, naturally occurring form that possesses full biological activity, as opposed to the inactive l-Biotin enantiomer. It is essential for cellular energy production, gene regulation through histone biotinylation, and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and nails.
How much to take
- Typical amount
- Oral: 30-100 mcg daily for Adequate Intake (AI). Supplement doses for hair/skin/nails typically range from 2,500-10,000 mcg (2.5-10 mg) daily. Topical: Found in creams, shampoos, and serums at concentrations typically from 0.0001% to 0.1%.
- Suggested range
- Oral: 30-10000 mcg daily
Potential benefits
Benefits linked to this supplement form:
Things to watch for
Possible side effects linked to this form:
Health goals
Needs and goals this form may help with:
Other forms of Biotin
Compare absorption and active amounts with sibling forms:
Technical details â–¼
Chemical ID (CAS)
58-85-5
Formula
C10H16N2O3S
Physical properties
White to off-white crystalline powder. Odorless or with a slight characteristic odor. Soluble in dilute alkali hydroxides and hot water, slightly soluble in cold water and alcohol, practically insoluble in acetone, chloroform, and ether. Melting point approximately 232-233°C.
How it’s made
Primarily produced synthetically via chemical synthesis starting from fumaric acid or via fermentation using genetically modified microorganisms (e.g., Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis). The synthetic route often involves resolution to isolate the active d-enantiomer from the racemic mixture. Fermentation is increasingly common for 'natural' labeled products.