- All B vitamins are water-soluble. They help to convert carbohydrates, fats, and protein into energy, or glucose.
- B vitamins are necessary for keeping the liver, skin, hair, and eyes healthy. They also play a role in the nervous system, and they are needed for good brain function.
- The B vitamins are sometimes called anti-stress vitamins, because they boost the body’s immune system in times of stress.
- Riboflavin is a B vitamin. It is involved in many processes in the body and is necessary for normal cell growth and function.
- Riboflavin is required for the proper development of many things in the body including the skin, lining of the digestive tract, blood cells, and brain function.
- Riboflavin helps convert carbohydrates into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The human body produces ATP from food, and ATP produces energy as the body requires it. The compound ATP is vital for storing energy in muscles.
Foods
- Fish, meat, and poultry
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Avocados
- Lima beans, navy beans, and peas
- Mushrooms
- Nuts
- Parsley
- Pumpkins
- Sweet potatoes
- Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach.
- Whole-grain breads, enriched breads, and wheat bran
- Yeast extract
Supplementation
- Some people take riboflavin by mouth to prevent low levels of riboflavin (riboflavin deficiency) in the body, for various types of cancer, and for migraine headaches.
- It is also taken by mouth for acne, muscle cramps, burning feet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and blood disorders such as congenital methemoglobinemia and red blood cell aplasia.
- Some people use riboflavin for eye conditions including eye fatigue, cataracts, and glaucoma.
- Some people also take riboflavin by mouth to maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails, to slow aging, for canker sores, multiple sclerosis, memory loss including Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, burns, liver disease, and sickle cell anemia.
*Do read the Disclaimer
References:
Riboflavin: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning (webmd.com)
Riboflavin: Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Interactions (rxlist.com)
Vitamin B2: Role, sources, and deficiency (medicalnewstoday.com)