Table of Contents
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
Signs of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Deficiency:
- Anemia
- Cracks and sores at the corners of the mouth
- Dermatitis
- Dizziness
- Hair loss
- Inflammation of the mouth and tongue
- Insomnia
- Poor digestion
- Retarded growth and slowed mental response
- Skin lesions
- Visual disturbances (sensitivity to light, loss of visual acuity, cataract formation, burning and itching of the eyes)
Health Concerns – What Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is Used For:
- Migraine headaches
- Sickle cell anemia
What Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Does:
- Aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
- Antibody production
- Boosts athletic performance
- Carpal tunnel syndrome may benefit from supplementation of Riboflavin
- Cell respiration and growth
- Necessary for red blood cell formation and helps the absorption of iron and vitamin B-6
- Needed for the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted into niacin
- Promotes healthy skin, nails hair, and eliminates dandruff
- Protects against cancer
- Together with Vitamin A, it maintains and improves the mucous membranes in the digestive tract
FOOD SOURCES of Vitamins B-2 (Riboflavin)
- Almonds
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cheese
- Currants
- Dandelion greens
- Fish
- Fortified breads & cereals
- Green leafy vegetable
- Kale
- Meat
- Milk
- Millet
- Molasses
- Mushrooms
- Nuts
- Organ meats (liver, kidney, heart)
- Peppers, hot red
- Poultry
- Soybeans (and flour)
- Spinach
- Split peas
- Watercress
- Wheat (bran & germ)
- Whole grains
- Wild rice
- Yeast, Brewer’s & torula
- Yogurt
Herb Sources of Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
- Alfalfa
- Bladderwrack
- Burdock root
- Catnip
- Cayenne
- Chamomile
- Chickweed
- Dulse
- Eyebright
- Fennel seed
- Fenugreek
- Ginseng
- Hops
- Horsetail
- Kelp
- Mullein
- Nettle
- Oat straw
- Parsley
- Peppermint
- Raspberry leaves
- Red clover
- Rose hips
- Sage
- Yellow dock
Other Sources of Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) – Name Brands:
- Cataplex B by Standard Process Labs is a high-quality, whole food based B Complex
Cautions & Comments about Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
- Consumption of adequate amount of riboflavin is important during pregnancy, because a lack can damage a developing fetus (even though there is no sign of deficiency)
- Pregnancy, breast-feeding, taking the pill, and heavy drinking all call for an increased intake of Riboflavin
- Factors that increase the need for riboflavin include the use of oral contraceptives and strenuous exercise.
- Riboflavin is easily destroyed by light, antibiotics and alcohol, but not by cooking
- Anti-malarials interfere with riboflavin metabolism