Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is an essential water-soluble micronutrient, a member of vitamin B complex. Just like all vitamins B, it plays a key role in many metabolic reactions and helps in converting carbs, proteins and fats into energy. The main specifics of vitamin B2 is its inability to be stored by our body in relatively large amounts, so we must constantly provide it by adding food sources of vitamin B2 to our daily diet. Another interesting fact about riboflavin is that it works best only in case in combination with other vitamins of the B complex.

Vitamin B2 is absorbed in the small intestine, it goes directly to the bloodstream and is carried to the body tissues as an element of cell enzymes. Some small quantities of riboflavin can be stored in kidneys, liver and heart, however, the most of this vitamin is being excreted with the urine. Increased amounts of alcohol and sulpha compounds in the body can cause vitamin B2 draining out completely from the body. The recommended daily doses of vitamin B2 are: 0.3-0.6 mg for children, 0.9-1.3 mg for teenagers, 1.3-1.5 for men, 1.1-1.2 for women, 1.4-1.6 for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Those who use special vitamin supplements and vitamin complexes should remember that riboflavin is the best absorbed between the meals.

Natural food sources of vitamin B2 include eggs, milk, meat, soybeans, mushrooms, apricots, papaya, as well as nuts and leafy greens. Very often, various flours and cereal that we use for cooking our meals are fortified with riboflavin. Herbal sources of vitamin B2 are the following: parsley, nettle, peppermint, sage, ginseng, chickweed, rose hips, fennel seed, horsetail, alfalfa, chamomile, hops, burdock root, red clover, cayenne, catnip, raspberry leaves, fenugreek, mullein, bladder wrack, yellow dock, eyebright, oat straw, and others.

Riboflavin is just vital for general health, development of body tissues and red cell production. It assists the functioning of our nervous system and play an important role for maintaining normal digestion processes. This vitamin also aids in boosting the immune system function. Besides, riboflavin has very powerful rejuvenating properties providing vigor and protecting our body tissues against aging. Health benefits of vitamin B2 include maintaining good vision and healthy skin, that is why this important nutrient is known as “The beauty vitamin”. It helps in preventing headaches and memory loss.

Fortunately, in our times riboflavin deficiency is quite rare as this vitamin can be found in many foods we consume daily. A lack of this natural nutrient can be accompanied with such symptoms as skin cracks and rushes, eye sensitivity, burning and itching, sore and burning tongue, dull and oily skin, weak and brittle hair and so on. To enjoy all the above mentioned health benefits of vitamin B2, just add more of its sources to your daily diet. Remember that this vitamin has no toxicity as the excessive amounts of riboflavin can easily be evacuated from the body.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

One Response to “Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)”

1. Vitamine B1 Says:
   August 4th, 2011 at 2:19 am

   Wow, thank you for this blog! Seriously useful info about cos’ that is everyone needs to know about vitamins. Thanks!!!