# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H) vs. Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H)
Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol)

Vitamin B7 is an essential sulfur-containing water-soluble vitamin serving as a prosthetic group for five carboxylase enzymes in gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, and branched-chain amino acid catabolism. Adequate Intake (AI) is 30 µg/day (no Upper Limit established).

View full Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H) spec sheet →

Vitamin E is the principal fat-soluble peroxyl radical-scavenging antioxidant protecting cellular polyunsaturated membrane phospholipids. Adult RDA is 15 mg (22.4 IU) of d-alpha-tocopherol, with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 1,000 mg (1,500 IU)/day.

View full Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Nutrient Type
Water-Soluble Ureido-Tetrahydrothiophene Vitamin Fat-Soluble Chromanol Lipophilic Vitamin
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
None Established (No adverse effects recorded) 1,000 mg / day (1,500 IU synthetic) (Excess impairs Vitamin K clotting cascade)
Chemical Forms
D-Biotin (Biologically active isomer), Biocytin (Biotinyl-lysine) RRR-alpha-Tocopherol (Natural d-alpha), all-rac-alpha-Tocopherol (Synthetic dl-alpha), Gamma/Delta-Tocopherols
Primary Biological Function
Prosthetic group for Pyruvate Carboxylase (Gluconeogenesis), Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (Fatty acid synthesis), Propionyl-CoA Carboxylase, Histone biotinylation Breaks lipid peroxidation chain in PUFA cell membranes, protects LDL from oxidative modification, maintains erythrocyte membrane integrity
Deficiency Condition
Alopecia (Hair loss), Erythematous scaly periorofacial rash, Brittle nails, Neurological depression / hallucinations Hemolytic anemia, Spinocerebellar ataxia, Peripheral neuropathy, Loss of vibratory/proprioceptive sense
Top Whole Food Sources
Egg Yolk, Beef Liver, Salmon, Pork Chop, Sunflower Seeds, Almonds, Sweet Potatoes Wheat Germ Oil, Sunflower Seeds, Raw Almonds, Hazelnuts, Sunflower Oil, Spinach, Hass Avocado
Adult Adequate Intake (AI)
30 µg / day (35 µg during lactation)
Raw Egg White (Avidin) Interaction
Raw egg albumen contains avidin glycoprotein which binds biotin with Kd ~10^-15 M (the strongest non-covalent bond known), completely blocking absorption unless cooked
Adult RDA / RDI
15 mg / day (22.4 IU) of 2R-alpha-tocopherol
Hepatic Alpha-TTP Specificity
The liver secretes only alpha-tocopherol into VLDL via Alpha-Tocopherol Transfer Protein (alpha-TTP); other tocopherols are degraded in bile