Vitamin B2 Riboflavin

About Vitamin B2 Riboflavin

Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is a water soluble vitamin whose name reflects its ribose derived side chain and its yellow color, from the Latin flavus, and it fluoresces yellow green. Official recommended intakes vary by age, sex and life stage, and needs rise during pregnancy and lactation. As a component of the coenzymes flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide, riboflavin takes part in many oxidation reduction reactions, including the electron transport chain and glutathione recycling. Deficiency, called ariboflavinosis, causes angular stomatitis, cheilosis, a magenta colored inflamed tongue, seborrheic dermatitis around the nose and ears, and eye sensitivity to light. It usually occurs alongside other B vitamin deficiencies, and alcohol use disorder, eating disorders and diets low in dairy raise the risk. Riboflavin is destroyed by light, one reason milk is often sold in opaque containers. High dose riboflavin has been studied for migraine prevention with some supportive evidence. Food sources include milk, yogurt, eggs, almonds and leafy greens.