Then next vitamin on the list is Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin.This vitamin got its name from the word ‘flavus’ meaning ‘ yellow’ .You might have noticed the yellow color of the B complex supplement.Well,it comes form our Vitamin B3 / Riboflavin.


Apart from being used as a supplement ,this yellow-orange colored vitamin is also used as a food coloring agent.The other interesting use is that it is used to fortify a wide range of food stuffs ranging from baby food,sauces,cereals,pastas,fruits drinks and energy drinks.Milling process results in a loss of this vitamin and hence certain cereals are fortified with Riboflavin in many countries.

Functions in the body

  • Required for the energy production
  • To protect the cells from oxygen damage
  • Maintain the supply of vitamins in the B complex group

Sources :

  • Mushroom
  • Spinach
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Turnip greens
  • Asparagus
  • Chard
  • Mustard greens
  • Broccoli
  • Collard greens
  • Okra
  • Persimmons
  • Banana
  • Venison
  • Calf liver
  • Chicken eggs
  • Cow’s milk and yoghurt
  • Cheese
  • Legumes esp. Kidney beans and green been
  • Almonds
  • Wheat bran


Deficiency :

  • Early deficiency involves eye related problems like  – Watery eyes, burning and itching in and around the eyes,loss of clear vision.
  • There is an increased sensitivity to light
  • Soreness around the mouth,lips and tongue,cracking at the corners of the mouth.
  • Peeling of the skin especially around he nose.
  •  When Riboflavin deficiency combines with protein energy malnutrition or alcoholism,it leads to a condition called Ariboflavinosis.
  •  It may also manifest as insomnia and hair loss ,slow mental response

When is there an increased need of Riboflavin intake :

  • People who perform strenuous exercises especially women.
  • Anemia
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cataracts
  • Migraine
  • Vaginitis 

Drug-nutrient interaction:
 

  • There is a decrease in the availability of Riboflavin in the body when one is on birth control pills /oral contraceptives,antibiotics like tetracycline,certain anti depressant drugs,anti malarial /anti gout drugs
  • Alcoholism
  • When there is an inadequate supply of B1 the riboflavin availability is less.
  • If riboflavin is deficient,the availability of Iron,Zinc,Folate,Vitamin B3,B12 are not fully available to the body. 

Factors affecting Riboflavin in foods :

  • Light causes damage to Vitamin B2 and hence store the foods away from direct sunlight.
  • Cook the food in covered containers to minimize the losses of this vitamin

 Eat healthy,Live Happy…

4 thoughts on “Vitamin B2 – Riboflavin”

  1. Dear Padmaja
    Another great article from you.. I really enjoyed reading it…I am in Hong Kong , I wished I could go to china and meet you and dear Hubby…
    I some times wonder, about your command over the subject I mean live science..you dont talk like the neighbourhood half educated dietricians ha ha …

    Have a nice sunday

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