| Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) | |||||
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- What is vitamin B2 (riboflavin)?
- Important vitamin B2 (riboflavin) facts
- Why vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is important
What is vitamin B2 (riboflavin)?
Vitamin B2 (ribflavin) is a water-soluble vitamin which is required for a variety of processes in the body. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a component of specific coenzymes.
Being a water-soluble vitamin means that any excess vitamin B2 (riboflavin) that is consumed is normally excreted through the urine.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is required for energy metabolism and for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Certain groups of people can become deficient in vitamin B2 (riboflavin) when supplementation may be advised.
A deficiency of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is relatively common and causes the following symptoms:
- dry and cracked lips
- mouth ulcers
- inflammation of the tongue and mouth
- sore throat
- dry and scaly skin
- iron-deficiency anaemia
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Important vitamin B2 (riboflavin) facts
- Vitamin B2 is also known as riboflavin
- Excess levels of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) when excreted, cause the urine to becomes a bright yellow colour
- Vitamin B2 is generally non-toxic when consumed in food
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is yellow or orange-yellow colored and used in food colouring
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is used in many food products to fortify nutrients lost in processing (baby food, breakfast cereals, cheeses, fruit juices, some milk products)
- A deficiency in vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is always accompanied by deficiencies in other B vitmains especially
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Why vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is important
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is important to either prevent or treat various health conditions:
- Anaemia - vitamin B2 assists the body to make better use of iron and prevents anaemia caused by iron deficiency
- Neo-natal jaundice - vitamin B2 is included in preparations to treat neo-natal jaundice
- Pre-eclampsia - some studies have shown lowered levels of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in the blood of pregnant women are associated with a higher risk of pre-eclampsia, which is a dangerous condition
In addition to this, vitamin B2 appears to be necessary for maintaining healthy cognitive function and lowering risk of depression.
references
- Bell, IR, Edman JS, Morrow FD, et al. Brief communication. Vitamin B1, B2, and B6 augmentation of tricyclic antidepressant treatment in geriatric depression with cognitive dysfunction. J Am Coll Nutr. 1992;11(2):159-163
- Breen C, Crowe A, Roelfsema HJ, et al. High-dose riboflavin for prophylaxis of migraine. Can Fam Physician 2003;49:1291-1293
- Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Pantothenic acid. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1998:357-373
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraneprophilaxis. A randomized controlled trial. Neurology. 1998;50:466–470
- Yurdakok M, Erdem G, Tekinalp G. Riboflavin in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Turk J Pediatr 1988;30(3):159-161
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
- Dieticians Association of Australia
- Nutrient Reference Values (Australia)
