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Biotin

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that occurs in most natural foods, but in very different amounts. Liver, kidney, egg yolk, nuts, mushrooms, certain vegetables such as soybeans, spinach and lentils are particularly rich in biotin.

In the human body biotin is involved in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. The estimated values of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) for an adequate intake of biotin are 40 micrograms (µg) per day for adolescents 15 years or older and adults. An upper limit for the daily tolerable intake of biotin has not yet been derived by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Even when consuming amounts far above the intake reference value, no adverse health effects have been observed so far. For this reason, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) refrains from establishing a maximum amount for biotin for use in food supplements or fortified foods.

Proposed maximum level for the addition of biotin to food supplements (per daily dose of an individual product)

However, cases of falsification of laboratory diagnostic tests by biotin, for example in the diagnosis of a heart attack, have become known in recent years. For this reason, the BfR recommends that a notice should be added to food supplements containing biotin stating that persons who have to undergo a laboratory test should inform their doctor or the laboratory staff that they are taking or have recently taken biotin.

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