Riboflavin (vitamin B2)

In 1879, scientists found a yellow-green fluorescent pigment in a milk sample.  50 years later, the compound was isolated and identified as riboflavin (vitamin B2).  Commonly referred to as the B-complex, this vitamin play an essential role in converting protein, fats and carbohydrates into the energy that the body demand for growth an development.

There are a number of health benefits which you can experience upon using riboflavin (vitamin B2) include the following:
- it helps boost the immune system by strengthening the antibody reserves which is considered as the body’s first line of defense against infection.
- It is essential in producing red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. 
- It keeps tissue in good repair and heals wounds, burns and other injuries quickly.
- It protects the nervous system that is important in treating Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, stress, numbness and tingling and fatigue.
- it prevents the slow development of cataracts because limits the oxygen free radicals damage to the body.   
- It counters migraines when taken in high dosages.  This is due to the fact that riboflavin (vitamin B2) boosts energy supplies which migraine sufferers often lack. A daily does of 400 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2) for three months, the group noticed an average 37% fewer migraines. 
- It treats rosacea-related skin blemishes because this ailment is partly due to riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiencies.  It helps through improving the skin’s secretion of mucus thereby clears up skin pustules linked with rosacea.  Riboflavin (vitamin B2) together with vitamin B could also clear up skin mites that plague rosacea sufferers.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) comes in two formulations: tablet and capsule.  The recommended Dietary allowance or RDA for riboflavin is 1.3 mg for men and 1.1 mg. for women.  Those with disorders are required to take higher doses.  Elderly and alcoholics are often found deficient in this and other vitamin B. Symptoms of not sufficient riboflavin (vitamin B2) are cracking of the lips and at the corners of the mouth; sensitivity to light, burning, tearing and itching of the eyes.  Skin around nose, eyebrows and earlobes may flake. There is possible skin inflammation in the groin area.  Anemia which is low red blood cell count can also manifest causing fatigue.  Consuming too much riboflavin (vitamin B2) does not have any side effect since this is a water-based vitamin.  The body just excretes the excess amounts in urine turning it to bright yellow.  But otherwise, this is a harmless side effect.  You can avail of riboflavin (vitamin B2) as a single complement or coming from multivitamins and vitamin B-complex products.  If you take one-a-day vitamins, you will get the RDA for riboflavin (vitamin B2). For those who take high potency multivitamin, you could get 30mg or more of riboflavin (vitamin B2).  Vitamin B-complex contains either 50 or 100 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2).

To prevent cataract, take 25 mg once daily.
To prevent migraine, take 400 mg of every morning.
To treat rosacea, take 50 mg once daily.

If you are taking oral contraceptives, antibiotics or psychiatric drugs, consult the doctor before taking riboflavin in order to adjust the dosage requirements.  There are no known drugs or nutrient interactions associated with riboflavin. Do not take alcohol when taking riboflavin (vitamin B2) since it can interfere with the digestive tract’s capacity to absorb the vitamin.