What is Vitamin Vitamin B2?

(Riboflavin)

Riboflavin functions in two important enzymes, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These enzymes act as cofactors for a wide variety of oxidative enzyme systems, and are central to energy production, drug metabolism, and lipid metabolism.

Vitamin B2 helps with Migraines

– it has been suggested that the cause of migraine is a reduction of energy productionwithinthemitochondriaofcerebralbloodvessels. Astudyinvolving49patients sufferingfrommigraineused400mgofriboflavindailyforatleastthreemonths. After The Three months there was an overall improvement in 68% of the patients using riboflavin.

ANTIOXIDANT – riboflavin has powerful antioxidant potential due its ability to regenerate GLUTATHIONE via glutathione reductase. Riboflavin deficiency is associated with increased lipid peroxidation; supplementation of riboflavin can inhibit this process.

NEUROTRANSMITTER PRODUCTION – important neurotransmitters such as DOPAMINE are riboflavin dependent.

ENERGY PRODUCTION (ATP) – FAD plays a crucial role in energy production within the Kreb’s cycle, where it helps generate an enzyme converting succinate into fumarate.

Dosage - No toxicity or side effects of riboflavin have been demonstrated.

Potential applications - Riboflavin deficiency – characterised by; weakness, fatigue, mouth pain and tenderness, eye burning and itching, personality changes, cheilosis, angular stomatitis, dermatitis, corneal vascularisation, anemia, and brain dysfunction.

Riboflavin is a potent antioxidant and offers particular benefits in protecting fatty tissues in the body such as the brain. TheseantioxidanteffectshavebeenshowntobebeneficialincasesofSICKLE CELL ANEMIA.

Research has shown that riboflavin supplementation has led to significant improvements in iron status, (with increased total iron-binding capacity and serum ferritin) and glutathione levels.

Riboflavin appears to be beneficial in treating lactic acidosis, common in AIDS patients, and in mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders such as infantile lactic acidosis, and skeletal myopathy / cardiomyopathy.

Known contraindications - None known. Although correction of deficiency is warranted, individuals with cataracts should not use more than 10mg riboflavin per day due to photosensitivity effects.

Interactions - The conversion of vitamin B6 to its active co-enzyme form P-5-P may be impaired in riboflavin deficiency. The conversion of riboflavin into its active coenzyme form is inhibited by thyroid and adrenal insufficiency; psychotropic drugs such as amitriptyline, chemotherapeutic drugs, and anti- malarial drugs.

Alcohol causes riboflavin deficiency by interfering with both its digestion and intestinal absorption. Useful links - Migraine – Flax seed oil, quercetin complex, pycnogenol/grape seed extract.

Note Riboflavin supplementation can result in a harmless yellow discolouration of the urine – it is thought that this effect is due to bacterial action on riboflavin, with metabolites then being absorbed and then excreted in the urine.