What is vitamin B2?
Also known as riboflavin, vitamin B2 is a water-soluble vitamin. Since
it is not stored in body fat, after the body uses what it needs, any excess
vitamin B2 is excreted in urine or sweat.
Why do we need it?
Vitamin B2 works with the other B vitamins in maintaining body growth
and the production of red blood cells. Like thiamin, it helps metabolize
carbohydrates into energy. Some studies have shown that vitamin B2 may
protect against cataracts, migraine headaches and sickle cell anemia.
How much vitamin B2 should I take?
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the recommended daily
allowance (RDA) for riboflavin is as follows:
- Adult men: 1.7 milligrams/day
- Adult women: 1.3 milligrams/day
- Children aged 7-10: 1.2 milligrams/day
- Infants: 0.5 milligrams/day
- Pregnant/lactating women: 1.8 milligrams/day
What are some good sources of vitamin B2?
Large amounts of riboflavin can be found in lean meats, fortified cereals
and yogurt. Other good sources include milk, cheese, eggs, broccoli and
spinach. Because riboflavin is destroyed by exposure to light, foods that
contain riboflavin should not be stored in glass containers that are exposed
to light.
What can happen if I don't get enough vitamin
B2?
Because riboflavin is so plentiful in the average diet, deficiencies
are quite uncommon. However, people who do not get enough riboflavin can
suffer from dry or cracked skin, especially around the lips or corners
of the mouth. Other symptoms include skin rashes and eye irritation. Severe
deficiencies may lead to depression or hysteria.
What can happen if I take too much?
Excess consumption of riboflavin may cause a person's urine to become
bright yellow, but to date, no toxic side-effects have been reported.
Because it is water-soluble and is not stored in the body, the chances
of enough riboflavin building up to toxic levels are highly unlikely.
Most people taking multivitamins with high levels of riboflavin or eating
foods rich in riboflavin need not worry about toxicity.
References
- B vitamins may cut heart disease risk. Harvard
Health News April 1998.
- B vitamins and the heart: what men can learn from
women. Harvard Men's Health Watch June 1998.
- Recommended Dietary Allowances, 10th ed. Washington,
D.C.: National Academy Press, 1989.
- Schoenen J; Jacquy J; Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of
high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled
trial. Neurology Feb 1998;50:466-470
- Ajayi OA, George B, Ipadeola T. Clinical trial of
riboflavin in sickle cell disease. East Afr Med J Jul 1993;70(7):418-21.
- Garrison R, Somer E. The Nutrition Desk Reference.
New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, 1995.