Vitamin B7, molecular model. Vitamin B7 (biotin, also known as vitamin H) is an essential nutrient that humans are unable to produce and need to obtain from their diet. It is most concentrated in nuts, soya protein, eggs and yoghurt. Vitamin B7 is used by the body in cell growth, the production of fatty acids and in the metabolism of fats and amino acids. Deficiency leads to problems including poor skin condition, hair loss, mental and emotional instability, muscle pains and hyperaesthesia (abnormal sensitivity of the senses). Vitamin B7's chemical formula is C10.H16.N2.O3.S. Atoms are represented as spheres and are colour-coded: carbon (green), hydrogen (grey), nitrogen (blue), sulphur (yellow) and oxygen (red).