What is vitamin B2? Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, is a water-soluble vitamin present in a lot of animal and plant tissues. Riboflavin is among the important B vitamins, known to assist support adrenal function, help calm and keep a healthy nervous system, and facilitate key metabolic procedures, consisting of helping to turn food into energy.
Vitamin deficiency impacts various metabolic and physiological activities in the body. Shortage of vitamin B2 directly impacts the cellular procedures running in the body. Vitamin B2 shortage is likewise referred to as vitamin B2 riboflavin deficiency.
Why is Vitamin B2 Needed?
Riboflavin is associated with crucial metabolic procedures in the body, and is necessary for energy production and typical cell function and growth. VItamin B2 is also crucial in assisting other B vitamins undergo the chemical changes that make them helpful. Emerging research shows that riboflavin/vitamin B2 can function as an antioxidant, possibly assisting to avoid cancer and forbid cholesterol buildup by managing the expansion of damaging particles known as complimentary radicals.
Typical illness and illnesses that may be avoided or minimized through riboflavin supplementation include neonatal jaundice, anemia, anorexia/bulimia, cataracts, cognitive function (thinking and memory), depression, and migraines.
Symptoms of Vitamin B2 Deficiency
Riboflavin shortage (called ariboflavinosis) can appear at consumption of less than 0.5-0.6 mg/day. Insufficient riboflavin can cause weakness, throat swelling/soreness, a swollen tongue, skin cracking (consisting of cracked corners of the mouth), dermatitis, and anemia. Riboflavin/vitamin B2 deficiency can likewise impact vision, consisting of blurred vision and itching, watering, sore, or bloodshot eyes, as well eyes becoming light-sensitive and easily tired out.
Particular groups may be particularly vulnerable to riboflavin shortage, including the elderly, the chronically ill and alcoholics. Women who take contraceptive pill might also take advantage of supplements– the body’s ability to take in riboflavin is reduced when taking contraceptive pill.
A vitamin B2 deficiency impacts the metabolic process of carbohydrates, fats, ketone bodies, and proteins in the body. So it can be stated that a vitamin shortage straight affects a person’s energy level. Another aspect is that vitamin B2 deficiency leads to other vitamin shortages also.
It is easy to identify the signs of vitamin B2 riboflavin deficiency. As riboflavin is frequently excreted from the urine, riboflavin shortage symptoms end up being very common and quickly recognizable. Vitamin B2 Deficiency Symptoms in Adults:
- bloodshot eyes
- sore tongue and lips
- infection in the mouth and throat
- severe and unusual level of sensitivity to light
- irritation in the eyes
- chapped lips.
Women have to take special care to ensure that they don’t have a vitamin shortage as riboflavin deficiency causes problems in the recreation system, growth and repair work of body tissues, along with problems in the immune system.
How much, and what kind, of vitamin B2, does an adult requirement?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for is 1.0 mg for female teenagers in between the ages of 14-18 years; 1.3 mg for male teenagers 14-18 years of age; 1.1 mg for female adults older than 18 years; and 1.3 mg for male adults older than 18 years. Pregnant women are recommended to take 1.4 mg, and women who are breast feeding must take 1.6 mg. People who are at a greater risk for riboflavin shortage must talk with a doctor for appropriate dosages. Dr. Weil advises 50 mg as part of a B-50 complex in a day-to-day multivitamin.
How much riboflavin does a child need?
The NIH says the RDA of riboflavin for infants and children is 0.3 mg for 0-6 months old; 0.4 mg for 7-12 months old; 0.5 mg for 1-3 years old; 0.6 mg for 4-8 years old; and 0.9 mg for 9-13 years of ages. Dr. Weil advises 1.7 mg as part of a children’s daily multivitamin, however you must constantly talk with your pediatrician regarding supplements.
How do you get enough vitamin B2 from foods?
Healthy people who eat a balanced diet might not have to supplement with riboflavin. Dietary sources of riboflavin include: dairy products (such as milk, cheese and yogurt), eggs, enriched or prepared cereals and grains, meats, liver, dark greens (such as asparagus, broccoli, spinach and turnip greens), fish, poultry, and buckwheat. Keep in mind that riboflavin is quickly damaged by direct exposure to light, so purchase milk and yogurt in paper containers or containers.
Are there any dangers related to too much vitamin B2?
Excess riboflavin is excreted through the urine (typically briefly causing urine to turn an intense yellow color a number of hours after taking it), so there is no typical risk for an overdose. However, exceptionally high doses might result in an increased risk of kidney stones. Sensitivity to light, itching, numbness, and burning/prickling sensations may likewise happen at high dosages. Allergy and anaphylaxis (severe, whole-body allergy) have also been reported, though rarely.
Health Tips
Vitamin B2 shortage might occur when either the person’s everyday intake of the vitamin is low or their body is not soaking up enough vitamins. It is best to eat natural sources of vitamin B2 as the vitamins are quickly absorbed this way. One should for that reason adhere to a diet that matches the vitamin requirements of the body. Some foods that are abundant sources of vitamin B2 are meat, mushrooms, almonds, entire grains, and green leafy vegetables. However, to stabilize vitamin B2 riboflavin shortage, specialists have suggested 1.7 mg/day of riboflavin for men and 1.3 mg/day for women.
