B2 RIBOFLAVIN

Also known as: Flavin; Flavine;

Lactoflavin; Riboflavin; Riboflavine;
Vitamin G

Description

Vitamin B2 is a water-soluble orange-

yellow crystal of the "B" Vitamin
group.

Topic Contents

Health Benefits of Vitamin B2

Substances Enhanced by Vitamin
B2
Toxic Substances Counteracted by
Vitamin B2
Substances that Enhance the
Function of Vitamin B2
Substances that Vitamin B2
Interferes with
Substances that Interfere with Vitamin
B2
Dietary Sources of Vitamin B2
Forms of Vitamin B2
Dosage Recommendations
Bioavailability of Vitamin B2

Biochemical Testing of Vitamin B2

Status

Commercial Availability of Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 may Enhance the Function

of these Substances

Amino Acids

Vitamin B2 is essential for the

absorption of Tryptophan.

Carbohydrates

Vitamin B2 facilitates the metabolism

of Carbohydrates.
Enzymes

Vitamin B2 is essential for the

production of Glutathione Reductase.
references
Vitamin B2 enhances the function
of Glutathione Peroxidase. references
Vitamin B2 is a cofactor for
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase
(MTHFR).

Vitamin B2 is a cofactor for the

production of Superoxide Dismutase
(SOD).

Flavins

Vitamin B2 is an essential component

of Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD).
references
Vitamin B2 is an essential
component of Flavin Mononucleotide
(FMN). references

Minerals
Vitamin B2 may enhance the body's
absorption of Iron. references
Vitamin B2 may reduce the bodys
urinary excretion of Selenium and may
thereby facilitate the retention of
Selenium. references

Nucleic Compounds

Vitamin B2 may facilitate the synthesis

of endogenous Nucleic Acids.

Peptides

Vitamin B2 may facilitate the recycling

of oxidized Glutathione into fresh,
active Glutathione.

Proteins

Vitamin B2 may enhance the synthesis

of some endogenous Proteins.
Vitamin B2 is involved in the
production of Collagen.
 Vitamin B2 may increase serum
Ferritin (an Iron-storage Protein) levels
(in Sickle Cell Anemia patients).

Quinones

Vitamin B2 is an essential cofactor for

the endogenous production of
Coenzyme Q10.

Vitamins

Vitamin B2 is required for the

synthesis of active forms of Folic Acid.
references
Vitamin B2 may enhance the
absorption of Vitamin B6:

- Vitamin B2 is an essential cofactor

for the conversion of dietary Vitamin
B6 (e.g. Pyridoxine) to its active
endogenous form (Pyridoxal-5-
Phosphate).
Vitamin B2 may Counteract these
Potentially Toxic Substances

Amino Acids

Vitamin B2 may protect against the

neurotoxic effectsof Glutamic Acid.
references
Vitamin B2 may play a role in
lowering Homocysteine levels (it is a
cofactor for the enzyme that catalyzes
the production of a specific form of
Folic Acid required for the
remethylation of Homocysteine to
form Methionine). references

Enzymes

Vitamin B2 may inhibit the activity of

5-Alpha Reductase. references

Hormones

Vitamin B2 may inhibit the conversion

of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone
(DHT) - by inhibiting the activity of 5-
Alpha Reductase. references

Pharmaceutical Drugs

Doxorubicins toxic side effects may be

exacerbated in the presence of
Vitamin B2 deficiency. references
Vitamin B2 may help to prevent
and treat Zidovudine-induced (Lactic)
Acidosis. references

Recreational Drugs

Vitamin B2 (combined with Vitamin

B12) may reduce the risk of Alcohol
(ethanol)-induced Cirrhosis.
references
Vitamin B2 may be useful in the
treatment of Alcoholism as most
Alcoholics are deficient in Vitamin B2.

These Substances may Enhance the

Function of Vitamin B2
Carbohydrates

Ribose is a component of the Vitamin

B2 molecule. references

Microorganisms

Vitamin B2 may be produced within

the body by Beneficial Bacteria within
the Digestive Tract.

Minerals

Phosphorus is involved in the

conversion of exogenous Vitamin B2 to
its active endogenous coenzyme form.

Moulds - Beneficial

Rhizopus oligosporus may increase the

Vitamin B2 content of foods into which
it is introduced as a culture.

Vitamins
Biotin may enhance the production of
Vitamin B2 within the body.
Vitamin C may protect Vitamin B2
from oxidation.

Vitamin B2 may Interfere with these

Substances

Vitamins B

Very high doses of Vitamin B2 may

cause the excretion of other "B"
Vitamins via the Urine.

These Substances/Factors may

Interfere with Vitamin B2

Carbohydrates

Psyllium may bind to and prevent the

absorption of Vitamin B2.

Electromagnetic Radiation
Light may cause the conversion of
Vitamin B2 to its toxic byproduct -
Lumiflavin.

Food Processing Methods

The Heat associated with Cooking may

destroy Vitamin B2.

Minerals

Excessive consumption of Boron may

cause excretion of Vitamin B2.
references

Pharmaceutical Drugs

The Contraceptive Pill may interfere

with Vitamin B2. references
Doxorubicin may cause the
depletion of Vitamin B2. references
Pharmaceutical Antibiotics may
interfere with Vitamin B2.
 Tricyclic Antidepressants may
cause the depletion of Vitamin B2.
references

Recreational Drugs

Alcohol (ethanol) may increase the

excretion of Vitamin B2. references

Mineral Acids

Boric Acid may bind to and prevent

the absorption of Vitamin B2 and may
increase the urinary excretion of
Vitamin B2. references

No Cautions

There are no known toxic reactions to

Vitamin B2..

Forms of Vitamin B2

Dihydrovitamin B2 is an endogenous
form of Vitamin B2.
 Flavin Mononucleotide (also known
as FMN, Riboflavin Monophosphate,
Riboflavin Phosphate) is an
endogenous form of Vitamin B2.
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate is an easily
assimilated form of Vitamin B2.

Lumiflavin is a degraded, detrimental

byproduct of Vitamin B2 produced
when Vitamin B2 is exposed to Light.

Dosage Recommendations

RDAs

The official RDA of Vitamin B2 for adult

males is 1.6 mg per day.
The official RDA of Vitamin B2 for
adult females is 1.2 mg per day.
The official RDA of Vitamin B2 for
women during the Lactation period is
1.7 mg per day.
The official RDA of Vitamin B2 for
women during Pregnancy is 1.7 mg
per day.
Therapeutic Dosages

The optimal daily allowance (ODA) of

Vitamin B2 (for adults) is 50 - 250 mg
per day.
Doses of as low as 10 mg of
supplemental Vitamin B2 per day have
alleviated Sickle Cell Anemia.
Doses of 10 - 50 mg of Vitamin B2
per day are sufficient to reap the
Antioxidant benefits of this Vitamin.

The general therapeutic, non-

conservative dose Vitamin B2 is in the
range of 10 - 300 mg per day.
Up to 400 mg of Vitamin B2 mg has
been used per day in clinical trials that
have demonstrated the effectiveness
of this Vitamin for the prevention and
treatment of Migraines.

Prevalence of Deficiency
Vitamin B2 deficiency is one of the
most common nutrient deficiencies.
Vitamin B2 deficiency is known
medically as Ariboflavinosis.

Frequency of Dosing

The maximum amount of Vitamin B2

that can be absorbed at once is 27
mg, therefore when the total daily
dosage exceeds 27 mg, the total daily
dosage should be administered in
divided dosages not exceeding 27 mg
dose.

Bioavailability references

Absorption

Vitamin B2 is readily absorbed from

the Small Intestine into the
bloodstream which transports it to the
body's tissues.
 When more than 27 mg of Vitamin
B2 is taken as a single dose, the
amount above 27 mg is excreted.
Vitamin B2 supplements are most
effectively utilized when consumed
with meals.

Storage

Vitamin B2 requires regular

replenishment as it is not stored within
the body (except for a small amount in
the Liver and Kidneys).

Duration of Activity

The elmination half-life of orally-

ingested Vitamin B2 is 1.1 1.4 hours
(66 to 84 minutes).
The terminal half-life of Vitamin B2
is 14 hours.

Excretion
Excess Vitamin B2 is excreted via the
Urine - large dosages of supplemental
Vitamin B2 can cause Urine to exhibit
a yellow-green fluorescent color.
Most Vitamin B2 is excreted from
the body in the form of its 7-
hydroxymethyl or 8-hydroxymethyl
derivatives. Approximately 30% of
Vitamin B2 is excreted in an
unchanged form. A small amount of
Vitamin B2 is excreted via the Bile.

Commercial Availability of Vitamin B2

Supplements

Singular Oral Vitamin B2 Products

Vitamin B2 is available from health

food stores (worldwide) and internet-
based suppliers in the form of:

- 25 mg tablets
- 100 mg capsules
- 200 mg tablets
- powder
The Flavin Mononucleotide form of
Vitamin B2 is available from health
food stores and internet based
suppliers in the form of:

- 25 mg sublingual tablets

The Riboflavin-5-Phosphate form of

Vitamin B2 is available from health
food stores and internet-based
suppliers in the form of:

- 2.5 mg tablets.

Formulas

Vitamin B2 is an ingredient in most

multi-vitamin supplements.

Topical Products

Vitamin B2 (in the form of Riboflavin

Monophosphate) is a constituent of
some topical Eyedrops (e.g. Brite Eyes
15 ml).
Vitamin B2 is one of the
constituents of the proprietary Hair
growth product named Crinagen that
is designed for topical application to
the Scalp.

Chemical Data

Chemical Name

7,8-dimethyl-10-ribitylisoalloxazine

Molecular Structure

C17H20N4O6

Molecular Weight

376.4

Dietary Sources of Vitamin B2 note

(mg of Vitamin B2 per 100 grams)

Cereal Grains: Millet 0.38 Wheat

Bran 0.35
Wild Rice 0.63 Rice Bran 0.25
Wheat Germ 0.71
Dairy Products: Milk 0.19
Cheese - Cheddar 0.40
Yogurt 0.26 Cheese - Parmesan 0.44
Eggs: 0.30 Egg - Yolk0.47
Fish: Herring Eel 0.4
Sardines 0.36 Mackerel 0.38
Trout Shellfish
Fruits: Currants
Fungi: Mushrooms 0.46
Herbs: Equisetum Tea
Peppermint Stevia
Pau DArco
Legumes: Soybeans0.31 Pinto
Beans 0.21
Split Peas0.29 Mung Beans 0.21
Meats: Beef 0.40 Liver - Pork
3.10
Liver - Lamb 2.3Liver - Chicken 1.70
Kidney - Lamb 2.42 Liver - Calf
2.72
Chicken 0.25 Liver 4.2
Pork 0.32 Kidney 2.6
Tongue - Beef 0.29 Rabbit
Nuts: Almonds 0.75 Chestnuts
0.02
Processed Foods: Beef 0.23
Sea Vegetables: Nori
Seeds: Sunflower Seeds
Vegetables: Garlic Spinach
0.14
Avocado Asparagus
Broccoli 0.3Brussels Sprouts
Green Beans Chilli 0.36
Okra 0.21 Fennel
Yeasts: Brewer's Yeast 4.30
Torula Yeast 4.28