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Vitamin
B2 | Riboflavin |
What is the
importance of vitamin
B2 ?
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Vitamin
B2 or riboflavin is the
second member of the B
complex group. The word
riboflavin is derived
from two sources:
ribose, referring to
ribose sugar found in
several vitamins and
enzymes, and flavin
meaning yellow. Since
that part of the B
complex vitamins which
remained intact even
after heating, contained
a molecule similar to
that of ribose sugar and
was yellow in color, it
came to be known as
riboflavin.
Riboflavin is a
crystalline compound
with a beautiful
yellow-orange hue. It is
soluble in water. Though
readily decomposed by
heat in an alkaline
solution, it is not
destroyed by boiling in
an acid solution. This
vitamin is very
sensitive to both
visible and ultraviolet
light. Considerable loss
may occur if foods are
exposed to light. Thus
sun-drying of foods
destroys most of their
riboflavin content.
Ordinary cooking does
not affect riboflavin,
but cooking in a large
quantity of water causes
some of this vitamin to
be drained out from the
food. Sulpha drugs and
alcohol can destroy
vitamin B2.
Riboflavin is absorbed
into the bloodstream
through the walls of the
small intestine. It is
carried to the tissues
of the body and
incorporated into the
cell enzymes. The liver
is the major site of
storage and it contains
about one-third of the
total riboflavin in the
body. The liver,
kidneys, and heart have
the richest
concentrations of this
vitamin. However the
body does not store
large quantities of it.
Riboflavin is excreted
primarily in the urine.
Bile and sweat are other
minor routes of
excretion.
Riboflavin is essential
for growth and general
health. It functions as
a part of a group of
enzymes which are
involved in the
metabolism of
carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins. It is involved
in a number of chemical
reactions in the body
and is therefore
essential for normal
tissue maintenance.
Riboflavin aids
digestion and helps in
the functioning of the
nervous system. It
prevents constipation,
promotes a healthy skin,
nails, and hair, and
strengthens the mucous
lining of the mouth,
lips, and tongue.
Riboflavin also plays an
important role in the
health of the eyes and
alleviates eye strain.
This vitamin is
particularly helpful in
counteracting the
tendency towards
glaucoma. An ample
supply of vitamin B2
provides vigor and helps
to preserve the
appearance and feeling
of youth.
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How do you know if
you need more vitamin
B2?
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A
deficiency of vitamin B2
may result in bloodshot
eyes, abnormal
sensitivity to light,
itching and burning of
the eyes, inflammation
in the mouth, a sore and
burning tongue, and
cracks on the lips and
in the corners of the
mouth. It may also
result in dull or oily
hair, an oily skin,
premature wrinkles on
the face and arms, and
split nails. Riboflavin
deficiency also leads to
the malfunctioning of
the adrenal glands. It
can be contributing
cause to such disorders
as anemia, vaginal
itching, and cataract.
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How much
vitamin B2 do you
need?
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It is
impossible for anyone to
tell you how much of any
particular vitamin you
need. We have read many
articles and reports on
this subject and no two
are alike. There are too
many variables involved.
Your age, your height
and weight, your health
and lifestyle, etc. The
best way for you to
decide which supplements
you need is to read
these pages and make
note of any health
problems you may be
having which could be
associated with a
vitamin deficiency. Then
start taking a small
dose. If your symptoms
don't go away after a
week or two, increase
your dosage. Continue
this until your symptoms
are relieved and stay
with that dosage.
Guideline is for a 150
pound adult:
- Men: 100 mg.
Best if taken as
part of a
B Complex
 .
- Women: 100 mg. Best
if taken as part of
a
B Complex.
Always consult your
doctor or midwife during
pregnancy and lactation.
Always start small
and work your way up, if
needed. Please be
careful when dealing
with fat soluble
vitamins as your body
retains these for
extended periods of
time. It is possible to
take to much of these
types of vitamins.
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How to get enough
vitamin B2?
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Vitamin
B2, though widely
distributed in
vegetables and animal
foods, is present only
in small amounts in most
of them. Foods rich in
riboflavin are green
vegetables such as lotus
stems, turnip greens,
beets, fruits such as
papaya, raisins, custard
apples and apricots;
foods of animal origin
such as sheep liver and
eggs, skimmed and whole
milk powder of cow's
milk. Other well-known
sources of this vitamin
are almonds, walnuts,
pistachio nuts, and
mustard seeds. An
average person may not
be able to get an
optimum amount of
riboflavin unless he
consumes a generous
amount of milk. Milking
of rice and wheat
results in considerable
loss of riboflavin since
most of the vitamin is
present in the germ and
bran, which are removed
during this process.
If you eat an
abundant quantity of the
above foods, you will
not have to worry about
supplementing your diet
with extra Vitamin B2.
If you don't eat much of
the above foods, you
might consider adding a
supplement.
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We
get all our personal
use vitamins and supplements
from
Puritan's Pride .
We highly recommend you
do the same, for
all your vitamin and
supplement needs. Their
products are always
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