Vitamin B2

Guide to Riboflavin - Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 is known as Riboflavin, as well as vitamin G. Being water-soluble, vitamin b2 is not stored by the body and people often suffer from its deficiency because of that. Symptoms of vitamin b2 deficiency are dry and scaling skin, and eyes that are sensitive to light or itchy.

Vitamin B2 essential for growth and reproduction

Vitamin B2 is one of the vitamins essential for the body growth and reproduction. This vitamin assists with the production of antibodies and formation of red blood cells, which are the carriers of oxygen to the cells. As such, vitamin b2 is essential for cell growth and helps with the absorption of iron.

Vitamin b2 also helps with the absorption of vitamin b6, or pyridoxine, as well as with creation of vitamin b3, or niacin. The b2 vitamin is essential for skin, nails and hair growth. Vitamin B2 also aids the body with the metabolising of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, thus helping with the body's energy needs.

Riboflavin, or vitamin b2, has been used for many years in the phototherapy treatment of neonatal jaundice.

Riboflavin is needed for eyes

Riboflavin is particularly helpful with eye disorders. The lack of vitamin b2 causes dry and itchy eyes, watery eyes, bloodshot eyes, and the eyes sensitive to bright light. Thus, vitamin B2 is helpful with the treatment of different eye disorders, and in particular with the treatment of some eye cataracts.

Riboflavin is orange-yellow in colour and is also used in food colouring. Excess vitamin b2 is usually passed in urine, giving it bright yellow colour.

Vitamin B2 food sources

Vitamin b2 is available in foods, such as meats, dairy products and vegetables. Lean meats, liver and eggs are rich in vitamin b2. This vitamin can also be found in nuts, such as almonds. Of dairy products, it's milk and cheese that contain vitamin b2. Legumes and green leafy vegetables are also rich sources in riboflavin or vitamin b2.

Baby food, breads and breakfast cereals are often fortified with vitamin b2, as are fruit juices and vitamin-
enriched milk products. Other good sources of vitamin b2 are fish and yeast.

Vitamin b2 or riboflavin is also known for its antioxidant activity, by helping neutralize and even reduce the damage that free radicals cause to our bodies.

VITAMINS articles
	• Vitamins • Vitamin A • B Vitamins • Vitamin B1 • Vitamin B2 • Vitamin B3 • Vitamin C