BIOTIN (VITAMIN B7)

What is biotin?

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin in the B vitamin family. As a member of this family, biotin helps convert the food we eat into energy. More specifically, biotin helps enzymes break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins [^[1]].

What does biotin do in the body?

In humans, biotin helps make possible reactions that break down amino acids, synthesize fatty acids, and make glucose [^[2]]. In other words, biotin helps our bodies use food to power our cells.

Biotin regulates gene expression, including metabolism genes that promote blood sugar regulation. It also decreases levels of enzymes that stimulate the liver’s glucose production [^[3]].

Beauty lovers know biotin as a vitamin that, when deficient, affects hair, skin, and nails [^[4]].

How can biotin help alleviate certain Long COVID symptoms and pathophysiology? 

Long COVID patients who suffer from hair, skin, and nail changes may benefit from biotin supplementation [^[5]].

Proper biotin supplementation plays a role in the health of hair, skin, and nails, which can all be affected in a bout with COVID-19. COVID-19 affects hair, leading to hair loss, brittle hair, and hair that is too fine. Skin and nail changes can also be part of COVID-19 [^[6]]. In the case of nails, microvascular injuries may be to blame, with the body in an inflammatory response similar to what is seen with “COVID toes.” Nail issues may especially appear after the COVID-19 acute phase has passed [^[7]].

Biotin has dual roles in skin and nervous system health, including neuropathic pain [^[8]]. A combination of biotin, alpha-lipoic acid, calcium pantothenate, ferrous gluconate, and vitamin B3 helped reduce neuropathic skin pain in a patient with Long COVID [^[9]].