Vitamin B2 – Riboflavin

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…