Vitamin B2 Riboflavin

The vitamin B2 riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin first detected in 1879 but not until the early thirties was it identified and named. It is also a key member of the vital B-complex of vitamins that play a key role in so many health functions. A chemist looking under a microscope would see riboflavin B2 as a yellow crystalline substance.

Consequently, it gets its name riboflavin from "flavus", which is Latin for yellow. It is stored in the liver and kidneys but its reserves even there are minimal. Foods rich in riboflavin B2 are, salmon, whole milk, cheese, yogurt, egg yolks, legumes, broccoli, dark, leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, watercress, brewer's yeast, blackstrap molasses, poultry, whole grain breads and cereals, buttermilk, asparagus, avocados, and green peas.

Function of Riboflavin & Riboflavin B2 Benefits

Vitamin B2 Riboflavin plays a key role with those body glands that are responsible for the production of energy. Riboflavin B2 assists in the release of glycogen for our energy. It also helps metabolize carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats from eaten fats and proteins. It is essential for food digestion, health of the nervous system, the assimilation of iron, and when used with Vitamin D it helps maintain good vision as well.

It's also used in antibody production, in the development of healthy hair, skin, and nails as well as ensuring good health of the mucous membranes in the digestive tract. It also helps speed healing of wounds and burns as well. The specific function of riboflavin has been discussed, but it also works with:

• Combating migraines. A European study with patients taking 400 mg a day of riboflavin B2 showed a decrease of 37% migraines over the 3 month period of the test.
• It helps prevent the development of cataracts. While vitamin B2 riboflavin is not an antioxidant per se, compounds in it appear to help limit free radical activity that cause cataracts as well as macular degeneration in general.
• It helps treat rosacea-related skin blemishes. Riboflavin B2 may help in the clearing of skin pustules that are usually associated with rosacea. Vitamin B2 Riboflavin appears to have the ability to improve the skin's secretion of mucus, which helps improve skin pustules
• Also used or beneficial in treatment of stress, cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other skin conditions like acne and eczema.
• It's presence in the system also staves off throat cancer -- especially important for smokers and tobacco chewers.
• Research is ongoing but it appears to help arthritis sufferers as well.

Riboflavin B2 Precautions

Experts say there isn't too much danger with Riboflavin B2 as the body simply excretes excessive B2 out in urine and/or sweat. The urine may be excreted as bright yellow but don't be alarmed, experts say this is harmless and to be expected. Getting too little of the B vitamins, however, especially with the elderly, alcoholics, or those who've recently undergone surgery may result in low red blood cell count (anemia), scaly skin around the nose, eyebrows, and earlobes, burning, itching and tearing of the eyes, cracked lips, and increased sensitivity to light. These skin problems may also appear in the groin area too.

Other problems include loss of appetite and hair loss. For pregnant and/or nursing women, some problems of lack of Riboflavin B2 include impaired lactation, inability to urinate, abnormal growth in the infant or children, and abnormal fetus growth. RDA for riboflavin B2 is 1.3 mg for men and 1.1 mg for women.

Problems that can be helped with Vitamin B2 riboflavin require higher doses, but you should always consult with your doctor first and follow his/her advise. Please know that if you per chance are taking high doses of B2, it can limit the effectiveness of chemotherapy and anticancer drugs. You should also be aware that environmental and intake of stimulants can limit your absorption of Vitamin B2 riboflavin.

For example, alcohol, oral contraceptives, caffeine, tobacco, antacids, strenuous and prolonged exercise, inadequate diet, and lactose intolerance. Lastly, be advised that foods rich in vitamin B2 riboflavin shouldn't be stored in glass containers, or any clear container as it is damaged by light.

How To Choose a Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Supplement

Buying supplements these days is like traversing a mine field. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of products out there yet how can one be sure they're getting a quality product? Based on our 24 years plus experience in the research and personal testing of supplements, we recommend you look for the following criteria to be met before you put forth your hard-earned dollars. Look for the following:

1. The supplements should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants. (These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.) Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!

2. Ensure the supplement manufacturer has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file for review by you the customer thus confirming the potency of the herbal ingredients listed on the label.

3. Ideally, make sure the supplement does not contain any fillers or additives such as sucrose (sugar), starch, gluten, silica (sand) or any other artificial colors, dyes, or flavors.

4. Remember that like all other B complex vitamins, riboflavin B2 needs the other B vitamins to work correctly. It's cheaper and better biochemically to have the B complex vitamins as part of a multivitamin. Make sure the Vitamin B2 Riboflavin supplement also have iron as they work hand-in-hand to prevent anemia (production of red blood cells).

Quality B2 Riboflavin Supplement

After much research, we've found a company that meets all of the above criteria. This New Zealand company offers GMP compliant products. Their flagship pharmaceutical grade vitamin supplement product is scientifically formulated containing not only riboflavin B2 and iron, but all the B complex vitamins, as well as other vitamins, minerals, trace and specialty minerals, potent herbal extracts, and nutrient-rich enzymes. This multivitamin supplement is a one-of-a-kind nutraceutical.

I hope this Vitamin B2 Riboflavin web page has been useful to you.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com