Everything about Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is a water soluble vitamin which is not stored by the body. Its actions are at the level of metabolism and nutrient absorption. It is also important for the eyes, skin and hair.

The vitamin that was later called vitamin B2 was isolated by two researchers in 1932, Warburg and Christian. Then, it was synthesized by Karrer in 1935. Its scientific name is riboflavin. The actions of vitamin B2 revolve around two main roles:

- Energy release from food, so metabolism of nutrients

- The maintenance of the skin, eyes, nails and hair.

The definition of vitamin B2

Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin or lactoflavin, is a water soluble vitamin sensitive to air and light. It can be synthesized by the body in small quantities, but it is not stored by it, so it must be taken from food every day.
The scientific name of vitamin B2, riboflavin, comes from the association of "ribose" (= a sugar with 5 carbon atoms) and the Latin root "flavus", which means yellow - the color of this vitamin. The presence of a molecule of ribose in its chemical composition makes it a vitamin. Thus, if you replace it by another sugar, its vitamin activity disappears. Riboflavin or lactoflavin or simply vitamin B2 is a crystalline yellow-green fluorescent powder with a slight odor and bitter taste. This vitamin is water soluble, but its solubility in water is not very high. It is heat resistant, so it can resist to cooking in that it does not melt and is not destroyed until 285 ° C are reached. It also withstands freezing, but its decomposition is accelerated by UV light and alkalis (or bases, the main ones being soda, potash and ammonia). Therefore, toddler vitamin B2 should be kept in sealed flask and should be protected from light. In humans, it is synthesized by the intestinal flora, but the quantity produced by the latter is insufficient to cover the daily needs of the body, so it must be taken from food and/or supplements daily. It is easily absorbed from the small intestine, then it is widely distributed in the tissues, but little is stored. The excess vitamin B2 is excreted in the urine (colored in yellow), partly as metabolites.

The properties of vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 has many properties, but its main roles can be summarized as follows: it acts on the release of energy from nutrients provided by food and on maintaining the beauty and health of the skin, eyes and hair.
Vitamin B2 has many properties. It plays great roles in the functioning of the body.

Here is the list of properties of vitamin B2

- Vitamin B2 plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, allowing the production of energy.

- It is present in the body in the form of two coenzymes: FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) and FMN (flavin mononucleotide), which both act as hydrogen acceptors. Their joint action with the enzyme allows the oxidation of glucose and thus the energy release.

- Vitamin B2 plays a role in the cellular respiration mechanisms, a set of reactions in which fuels are degraded in the food inside the cells.

- It is also a component of amino acids.

- It is found in many organs, particularly in the retina, where it is involved in the phenomenon of vision and promotes vision in the semi-darkness.

- It ensures the growth of children.

- It plays a role in maintaining the health of the skin, hair (it acts on the elasticity and strength of keratin) and nails.

- Vitamin B2 increases the body's resistance to cold.

- It is essential for the nerve function and for the proper functioning of the brain.

Therapeutic tips and indications

Here is some additional guidance on the use of vitamin B2 and its therapeutic indications, that is to say the cases when your doctor may prescribe vitamin B2 to treat a disorder.

The efficacy of vitamin B2 is enhanced when combined with other B vitamins as well as with magnesium in food supplements. As it happens with other B vitamins, vitamin B2 supplements (e.g. beflavine) are absorbed better when taken during a meal. Vitamin B2 also contributes to the use of iron. Vitamin B2 is used as yellow food coloring under the name of E101.

Therapeutic indications on vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 may be prescribed by your doctor in the following cases:
- Eye disorders: conjunctivitis, corneal vascularization, accommodation disorders, night blindness (loss of night vision), cataracts

- Skin disease: cheilitis (inflammation of the lips), angular cheilitis (cracked corners of the mouth), stomatitis, facial seborrhea, nail dystrophy

- Gastrointestinal disorders: chronic enteritis

- General disorders: muscle cramps, headaches, no weight gain in children, asthenia.