Biotin is a water soluble vitamin, generally classified as a B-complex vitamin and is required by all organisms. It is obtained from food however most foods are poor sources of biotin, so a low intake is common (exceptions are biotin-rich foods such as egg yolk, kidney, liver and some cheeses). Scientists have also discovered that a portion of the biotin we use comes from the intestinal flora (such as E coli and bifidobacteria) found in a healthy human gut.

Biotin deficiency was once thought to be rare because such small amounts are required and clinical signs of deficiency are non-specific. However, recent findings are shifting the clinical outlook for biotin deficiency.

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