Riboflavin |b2 vitamin| riboflavin tablet | Riboflavin uses Riboflavin foods

Introduction:

Riboflavin is also known as the vitamin B2. It is the water soluble vitamin that is required in minute amounts but play a major role in the human growth by providing the energy through the breakdown of food. It is also important for absorbing other nutrients and maintaining tissues. As it is a water soluble vitamin, so it is carried through blood stream and the excess of it is excreted out through urine. There must be the regular provision of vitamin B2 on daily basis as its supply is rapidly used down and is not stored. Most of this vitamin is absorbed in the small intestine. In this article, the discussion will be about its role, sources, dosage and deficiency issues.

Role of vitamin B2:

Vitamin B2 plays its role in the supply of energy to the human body through the breakdown of the carbohydrates, proteins and lipids etc. Riboflavin usually assists the breakdown of food in Krebs cycle by the con-enzyme form that is FAD+2. Riboflavin converts the carbohydrates into the Adenosine triphosphate ATP that is the energy currency for all the body activities. The ATP compound is also essential for storing the energy in the muscles. 

Vitamin B2 plays its role as:

In maintaining the mucous membrane of the digestive system.

In maintaining the healthy liver activity, as it is a co-enzyme so plays its role in the oxidative reactions mostly occurring in the liver.

It also contributes in converting the tryptophan that is an amino acid into the Niacin (that is also a co-enzyme and vitamin B3).

 It also assists the hormone production by the adrenal glands that are the kidney glands.

It also keeps the eyes, nerve muscles and skin healthy.

It makes your eyesight healthy by preventing the development of cataracts.

It also activates and enhances the absorption of the iron, folic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin B3 and vitamin B6.

It also improves and assists the fetal development.

Normal doses of vitamin B2 are safe during pregnancy.

It is also used to prevent the migraine headache.

In children with the autism, the supplement of vitamin B2, B6 helps to prevent and control the amounts of organic acids in the urine.

Sources of vitamin B2: 

The main sources of the vitamin B2 may include:

• Fish, meat, and poultry, such as chicken, beef, and organ meat as of kidneys, and liver

• Eggs

• Dairy products

• Asparagus

• Avocados

• Fortified cereals

• Kelp

• Lima and navy Beans and peas

• Molasses

• Mushrooms

• Nuts and seeds

• Parsley

• Pumpkins

• Sage

• Sweet potatoes

Yeast extracts

Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, dandelion green and Brussels sprouts

Wheat bran, enriched-bread and whole grain cereals

Vitamin B2, as it is water soluble, so a large amount is lost during cooking such as boiling but small amount is lost if the vegetables are steamed or microwaved

Required dosage:

The daily recommended dose of the vitamin is varied for different sex and conditions. The RDA (recommended daily allowance) for men above the age 19 is 1.3 mg per day and for women is 1.1 mg per day. When a women is pregnant, she needs about 1.4 mg of vitamin B2 per day and while breast-feeding, the requirement is about 1.6 mg per day.

Deficiency issues:  

Riboflavin deficiency usually happens due to the two reasons:

There may be the inadequate supply of the riboflavin in your diet.

The other reason may be the mal-absorption of the riboflavin from the small intestine or it is rapidly excreted from the body. Another reason may be that it is not stored in the human body. 

The condition that usually arises due to the riboflavin deficiency is:

Ariboflavinosis:

The symptoms of the disease may include:

Cracked lips

Dry skin

Cracks at the corners of the mouth

Inflamed lining of the mouth

Sore throat

Mouth ulcers

Inflammation of the tongue

Fluid in mucous membrane

Iron-deficiency anemia

Eyes may be sensitive to bright light, and there may be itchiness in the eyes and bloodshot.

People who drink the excessive alcohol are at greater risk of vitamin B2 deficiency.

Conclusion:

So, in the light of above discussion whether the riboflavin is required in small amounts but it plays an important role by providing the energy to the body. It must be supplied through diet in adequate amounts.