What Is Riboflavin, and Why Is It So Important?

Riboflavin and it's B family cousins are involved in, maintaining muscle tone and promoting a healthy nervous system. The whole B clan is great for healthy hair, skin, eyes and liver. Riboflavin is routinely confused with another vitamin of similar name, the B12 vitamin, all the B's must throw people off.

The biggest difference between riboflavin and other B complex vitamins is the fact that riboflavin isn't found in that many foods. As a result, deficiency is common. Learn more about how to minimize the risk of a vitamin B2 deficiency with the help of a good diet.

What Is Riboflavin?

Riboflavin is a very well known member of the B vitamin family-you probably know old Ribo pretty as B2.  Riboflavin is routinely confused with another vitamin of similar name, the B12 vitamin, all the B's must throw people off.

So what's the B family? B complex vitamins, as they are sometimes called, consist of eight water-soluble vitamins. The B family of vitamins plays a big part in breaking down fats and protein.

Why Is Riboflavin Important?

Riboflavin and its B family cousins are involved in, maintaining muscle tone and promoting a healthy nervous system. The whole B clan is great for healthy hair, skin, eyes, and liver.

The biggest difference between riboflavin and other B complex vitamins is the fact that riboflavin isn't found in that many foods. As a result, deficiency is common, with a lack of riboflavin in the dietary intake as the leading cause. Vitamin B2 deficiency symptoms include, eye fatigue, sore lips, mouth and tongue, and light sensitivity-and it only gets worse.

The deficiency has been linked to Crohn's Disease, as well as carpel tunnel syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

The B2 vitamin offers many functions and health benefits:

• Cataracts: Taking 10 milligrams of a B2 vitamin supplement regularly keeps foresight, 20/20, and prevents the development of cataracts.
• Migraine Relief: Many migraine sufferers report that riboflavin lessens the occurrence of migraines, and shortens their length.
• Treatment of Burns: Burned skin loses a lot of micronutrients; this can be life-threatening. A combination of vitamins, including the B2 vitamin, has sped the recovery process.
• Anemia
• Eating Disorders: The B complex of vitamins helps in relieving stress and depression, which frequently accompany anorexia and bulimia.

The vitamin is found in certain types of yeast, almonds, whole grains, wheat germ, wild rice, mushrooms, soybeans, milk, yogurt, eggs, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and spinach.