Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Fundamental For The Blood
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is an essential part of the fundamental workings of the blood.
It serves in the production of red blood cells that transport oxygen, vital to every cell in the body, through the circulatory system.
Vitamin B2 is important to normal growth and development, as well as to the reproductive system, because it plays a role in the regulation of the activity of the thyroid. It is also essential in the body's absorption of iron and the production of antibodies.
It serves the digestive system by helping the body to make use of the energy potential in carbohydrates.
It assists to protect the health of those mucus membranes that act within the digestive process to keep the consumed foods moving smoothly through the digestive tract. It is a partner, or cofactor, in the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids and certain proteins.
Vitamin B2 serves as a cofactor to Vitamin B6, which can not be active within the body without Vitamin B2, in many processes and also helps in making niacin useful to the body.
It also has a role in adrenal gland function.
It is important to tissue repair in the body, and helps to keep the skin healthy, as well as the hair and the finger- and toenails.
It is essential to good vision, and may play a role in the prevention of cataracts.
Deficiency in riboflavin can cause a variety of physical and mental symptoms.
Among these are burning and watering of eyes, digestive difficulties, vision problems, hair loss, slow or retarded growth, itching, tremors, oily skin and are other skin disorders that range from simple dermatitis to open sores on the internal and external parts of the mouth, inflammation of the inner mouth and tongue.
Mental symptoms include slowed mental process, dizzinesss and insomnia, which can serve to make any and all of the other symptoms much feel worse.
Children, depending on size and weight, need between .6mg to .9mg of Vitamin B2 per day.
Adult males generally need about 1.3mg daily of Vitamin B2.
Adult females require 1.1mg daily, and should increase the daily dosage to 1.5mg if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Your body needs Vitamin B2 each and every day.