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Riboflavin

This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

Overview

Riboflavin is a B vitamin. It is involved in many processes in the body and is necessary for normal cell growth and function. It can be found in certain foods such as milk, meat, eggs, nuts, enriched flour, and green vegetables. Riboflavin is frequently used in combination with other B vitamins in vitamin B complex products.

Some people take riboflavin by mouth to prevent low levels of riboflavin (riboflavin deficiency) in the body, for various types of cancer, and for migraine headaches. It is also taken by mouth for acne, muscle cramps, burning feet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and blood imbalances such as congenital methemoglobinemia and red blood cell aplasia. Some people use riboflavin for eye conditions including eye fatigue, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Some people also take riboflavin by mouth to maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails, to slow aging, for canker sores, multiple sclerosis, memory loss including Alzheimer's condition, high cardiovascular health, burns, liver condition, and sickle cell anemia.

Classification

Is a Form of:

B vitamin

Primary Functions:

Prevent low levels of riboflavin

Also Known As:

B Complex Vitamin, Complexe de Vitamines B, Flavin

How Does It Work?

Riboflavin is required for the proper development of many things in the body including the skin, lining of the digestive tract, blood cells, and brain function.

Uses

  • Preventing and treating low riboflavin levels (riboflavin deficiency).In adults and children who have too little riboflavin in their body, taking riboflavin by mouth can increase levels of riboflavin in the body.
  • Cataracts.People who eat more riboflavin as part of their diet seem to have a lower risk of developing cataracts. Also, taking supplements containing riboflavin plus niacin seems to help prevent cataracts.
  • High amounts of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia). Taking riboflavin by mouth for 12 weeks decreases levels of homocysteine by up to 40% in some people. Also, taking riboflavin along with folic acid and pyridoxine seems to lower homocysteine levels by 26% in people with high homocysteine levels caused by drugs that are used to prevent seizures.
  • Migraine headaches. Taking high-dose riboflavin by mouth seems to reduce the number of migraine headache attacks, by about 2 attacks per month. Taking riboflavin in combination with other vitamin sand minerals seems to also reduce the amount of pain experienced during a migraine.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • General: The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of riboflavin for adults is 1.3 mg per day for males, 1.1 mg per day for women, 1.4 mg per day for pregnant females, and 1.6 mg per day for lactating women. There is no daily Upper Intake Levels (UL) for riboflavin, which is the highest level of intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects.
  • For preventing and treating low levels of riboflavin (riboflavin deficiency): Riboflavin 5-30 mg daily has been used.
  • For cataracts: A combination of riboflavin 3 mg plus niacin 40 mg daily for 5-6 years has been used.
  • For high levels of homocysteine in the blood): Riboflavin 1.6 mg daily for 12 weeks has been used. A combination containing 75 mg of riboflavin, 0.4 mg of folic acid, and 120 mg of pyridoxine daily for 30 days has also been used.
  • For migraine headaches: The most common dose is riboflavin 400 mg daily for at least three months. A specific product (Dolovent; Linpharma Inc., Oldsmar, FL ) dosed at two capsules in morning and two capsules in the evening for 3 months has also been used. This dose provides a total of riboflavin 400 mg, magnesium 600 mg, and coenzyme Q10 150 mg per day.

CHILDREN

BY MOUTH:

  • General: The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of riboflavin is 0.3 mg per day for infants up to 6 months old, 0.4 mg per day for infants 6-12 months old, 0.5 mg per day for children 1-3 years old, 0.6 mg per day for children 4-8 years old, 0.9 mg per day for children 9-13 years old, 1.3 mg per day for males 14-18 years old, and 1.0 mg per day for females 14-18. There is no daily Upper Intake Levels (UL) for riboflavin, which is the highest level of intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects.
  • For preventing and treating low levels of riboflavin (riboflavin deficiency): Riboflavin 2 mg once, then 0.5-1.5 mg daily for 14 days has been used. Riboflavin 2-5 mg daily for up to two months has been used. Riboflavin 5 mg five days per week for up to one year has also been used.

Riboflavin Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

Is too much riboflavin bad for you?

The primary risk of excess B-2 is damage to the liver. However, excess riboflavin, or riboflavin toxicity, is rare. You could get too much vitamin B-2 through supplements in oral or injection form, but this is also rare because your body doesn't store the vitamin.

What is b2 riboflavin needed for?

Vitamin B2 helps break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It plays a vital role in maintaining the body's energy supply. Riboflavin helps convert carbohydrates into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The human body produces ATP from food, and ATP produces energy as the body requires it.

When should I take riboflavin?

Riboflavin is best absorbed when taken between meals. People who do not eat a balanced diet every day may benefit from taking a multivitamin and mineral complex.

Is riboflavin and b2 the same thing?

Riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2) is one of the B vitamins, which are all water soluble. Riboflavin is naturally present in some foods, added to some food products, and available as a dietary supplement.

What are the side effects of riboflavin?

Riboflavin is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth. In some people, riboflavin can cause the urine to turn a yellow-orange color. When taken in high doses, riboflavin might cause diarrhea, an increase in urine, and other side effects.

What are the benefits of taking riboflavin?

Benefits. Riboflavin is a vitamin that is needed for growth and overall good health. It helps the body break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats to produce energy, and it allows oxygen to be used by the body.

How long does vitamin b2 take to work?

For treating low levels of riboflavin (riboflavin deficiency) in adults: 5-30 mg of riboflavin (Vitamin B2) daily in divided doses. For preventing migraine headaches: 400 mg of riboflavin (Vitamin B2) per day. It may take up to three months to get best results.

What are the signs of a riboflavin deficiency?

The signs and concerns of riboflavin deficiency (also known as ariboflavinosis) include skin imbalances, hyperemia (excess blood) and edema of the mouth and throat, angular stomatitis (lesions at the corners of the mouth), cheilosis (swollen, cracked lips), hair loss, reproductive problems, sore throat, itchy and red 

What is the main function of riboflavin?

Vitamin B2 helps break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It plays a vital role in maintaining the body's energy supply. Riboflavin helps convert carbohydrates into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The human body produces ATP from food, and ATP produces energy as the body requires it.

Can Vegans eat riboflavin?

Why It's Important: Riboflavin is involved in healthy growth of your skin, hair, eyes and liver. Many good sources of riboflavin are animal products like dairy, eggs, fish and meat. Therefore, vegans should make sure they are consuming at least a couple of good plant-based sources of riboflavin each day.

Is 20 mg of riboflavin too much?

There is no daily Upper Intake Levels (UL) for riboflavin, which is the highest level of intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects. For preventing and treating low levels of riboflavin (riboflavin deficiency): Riboflavin 5-30 mg daily has been used.

Can you take riboflavin and magnesium together?

You have to take magnesium for three months to get a benefit, says DeRossett. "People sometimes give up on it too soon." Taking the correct dosage is important as well: 500 mg magnesium, 400 mg riboflavin (vitamin B-2), and 150 mg coenzyme Q10. The herb butterbur can also help prevent migraine attacks, she adds.

Can riboflavin upset your stomach?

While any supplement taken into the stomach can cause nausea, riboflavin is well known for this. Thus, medical care providers often recommend a lower dose at first, which is increased over time. However, riboflavin is water-soluble and excessive amounts are excreted by the kidneys, so toxicity is unlikely.

Does riboflavin make you tired?

Severe, long-term riboflavin deficiency causes a shortage of red blood cells (anemia), which makes you feel weak and tired. It also causes clouding of the lens in your eyes (cataracts), which affects your vision.

Does riboflavin make your pee yellow?

What's happening is that urine will turn a bright, sometimes neon, yellow in response to excess riboflavin. Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is a common ingredient in almost all multi-vitamins.

Is Vitamin b2 good for skin?

Vitamin B2

Riboflavin is an important vitamin for those prone to acne as it helps to maintain the mucus secretion of the skin to prevent acne breakouts and dry skin. Vitamin B2 can even help to clear up pesky spots and revitalize the skin by promoting healthy cell turnover.

How do you prevent riboflavin deficiency?

The RDA for riboflavin (1.3 mg/day for men and 1.1 mg/day for women), which should prevent deficiency in most individuals, is easily met by eating a varied diet. Consuming a varied diet should supply 1.5 mg to 2 mg of riboflavin a day.

How much riboflavin will cause a false positive?

The authors found that the accuracy of discrimination increased with riboflavin dose, and reached 100% with measurement 2 to 8 hours after a 50 mg dose, although there was an average 21.2% false positive rate.

How much riboflavin should I take for migraines?

A combination containing 75 mg of riboflavin, 0.4 mg of folic acid, and 120 mg of pyridoxine daily for 30 days has also been used. For migraine headaches: The most common dose is riboflavin 400 mg daily for at least three months.

Can riboflavin cause dizziness?

A very serious allergic reaction to this vitamin is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any concerns of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Clinical Studies