by Jennifer Brett, N.D.

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Brett, N.D., Jennifer.  "How Vitamin B2 Works."  22 December 2006.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/vitamin-b-2.htm>  13 October 2008.

Inside this Article

  1. Vitamin B2 Overview
  2. What Is Vitamin B2?
  3. Benefits of Vitamin B2
  1. Foods That Contain Vitamin B2
  2. Vitamin B2 Deficiency
  3. See all Vitamins & Minerals articles
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Benefits of Vitamin B2

As an energy releaser, riboflavin promotes the production of energy in the brain's blood vessels. There is speculation, after some research, that supplements of riboflavin may be able to help reduce the number of migraine headaches a person gets.

Riboflavin can help prevent cataracts, probably because of its close relationship with glutathione, an antioxidant. In a study of 408 Boston-area women, those who had the highest intake of riboflavin had the lowest level of cataract formation and lens opacity.

Riboflavin supplements might help reduce the number of migraines a person gets.
©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Riboflavin supplements might help reduce the number of migraines a person gets.

Riboflavin may be helpful to people with sickle-cell disease; 5 mg given two times a day increased the amount of glutathione and iron in patients' blood. In a different blood condition, iron-deficiency anemia, riboflavin helped improve iron levels when given along with an iron supplement.

Older adult women who exercise have higher riboflavin needs than their sedentary counterparts. This makes sense because of riboflavin's role in coaxing energy out of food. Supplementing helped prevent low blood levels, but didn't seem to alter endurance capacity in the women studied.

Large doses of riboflavin are not toxic. For general health purposes, 5 to 10 mg per day is adequate. The body may only be able to absorb 20 mg at any one time. Because of its fluorescent yellow quality, large doses will turn the urine bright yellow for several hours after ingesting it.

Dairy products are an excellent source of riboflavin, as are some meats and leafy green vegetables. Go to the next page to find out more about foods that contain riboflavin.

Riboflavin is just one piece in the puzzle when it comes to vital nutrients. Check out these links to learn more about the vitamins your body needs to maintain overall health.
  • Vitamin A, or retinol, plays a vital role in vision. Learn more in How Vitamin A Works.
  • A vitamin B1, or thiamin, deficiency results in the disease beriberi. Learn more in How Vitamin B1 Works.
  • Vitamin B3, or niacin, acts as a coenzyme, assisting other substances in the conversion of food into energy. Learn more in How Vitamin B3 Works.
  • In How Vitamin E Works, learn about this important antioxidant with far-reaching health benefits.
  • Vitamin K is important in allowing your blood to clot properly. Learn more in How Vitamin K Works.
  • To learn about the many vitamins in our diet, how much you should be eating, and where to find them, go to our general Vitamins page.
  • To find the best prices on vitamin B2 supplements, click here.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Inside this Article

  1. Vitamin B2 Overview
  2. What Is Vitamin B2?
  3. Benefits of Vitamin B2
  1. Foods That Contain Vitamin B2
  2. Vitamin B2 Deficiency
  3. See all Vitamins & Minerals articles

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