(also referred to as...)
Riboflavin
Description
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is a water soluble nutrient that requires water for absorption. Like all B vitamins, riboflavin cannot be stored in the body and must be supplied daily via diet or through supplementation.
Riboflavin aids in the production of blood cells and helps to produce antibodies that protect against foreign invaders. Vitamin B2 is needed for respiration and growth of cells and also helps with the absorption of iron and vitamin B6. This vitamin is also important in converting food into energy.
Vitamin B2 works with vitamin A to help improve and maintain the mucous membranes in the stomach and also protects the eyes from ultraviolet rays. Riboflavin is needed for the metabolism of the tryptophan (an amino acid) which is converted into niacin/B3 in the body. It also helps keep skin, nails, and hair healthy, and aids poor digestion.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Riboflavin deficiencies can lead to itching, burning eyes, poor digestion, cataracts, anemia, seborrheic dermatitis (dry, moist patches and/or greasy scaling skin, especially on the scalp), and inflammation of the mouth and tongue.
Source
Ideal sources of vitamin B2 include avocados, cheese, eggs, fish, grapefruit, green leafy vegetables, liver, mangoes, milk, mushrooms, peaches, pears, prunes, whole grains, and yogurt.
B2 is also available as part of a B-complex vitamin and in isolated form.
Optimal Absorption
Alcohol, estrogen, and sulfa drugs destroy riboflavin. Over 50% of the vitamin B2 content in food is lost when exposed to light for more than two hours. This vitamin also dissolves in cooking liquids and is destroyed in the cooking / overheating of foods.
If supplementing, take in capsule or liquid form for best absorption.
The following is a list of United States 1997-1998 Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI): Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for nutritional vitamin B2 intake and are included as a guideline only. Consult with your nutritionist, naturopath, or other health practitioner for a dosage appropriate for your needs. Children under 6 years of age should be under the supervision of the above mentioned specialists if directly supplementing with vitamin B2.
0 - 5 months, 0.3mg 6 - 11 months, 0.4mg 1 - 3, 0.5mg 4 - 8, 0.6mg 9 - 13, 0.9mg 14 - 18, 1.3mg 19 - 30, 1.3mg 31 - 50, 1.3mg 51 - 70, 1.3mg > 70, 1.3mg 9 - 13, 0.9mg 14 - 18, 1.0mg 19 - 30, 1.1mg 31 - 50, 1.1mg 51 - 70, 1.1mg > 70, 1.1mg
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
No known toxicity.
Ailment / Situation Listing
| Burning Eyes | Cataracts | Itchy Eyes |
| Mouth Inflammation | Poor Digestion | Seborrheic Dermatitis |
| Tongue Inflammation | | |
All information contained on this website is for reference purposes only and all content should be treated as a resource. It is highly recommended that you consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner when undertaking self-treatment. For serious conditions, always seek the advice of your naturopath or other health practitioner. People taking medication should
consult with their naturopath or other health practitioner before undertaking additional regime for their ailment.
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