Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is a member of the B-complex family of vitamins and an essential nutrient that you must obtain in your diet or through supplementation to stay healthy. Because it is water-soluble, riboflavin is not retained by the body and must be consumed daily to ensure adequate levels. Riboflavin deficiency is associated with particular symptoms and health effects.
Occurrence Rate
Riboflavin is easily absorbed from food and is resistant to heat, acid and oxidation; however, it is easily broken down by light and should be stored in light-proof containers. Deficiencies of this vitamin are rare in the United States and mostly occur together with alcoholism due to the poor diets of many alcoholics. Riboflavin deficiency also occurs from prolonged use of barbiturate drugs, such as phenobarbitol, an anti-epilepsy medication. These drugs activate a liver enzyme that speeds up the breakdown of riboflavin.
Deficiency Symptoms
Symptoms of riboflavin deficiency start around the mouth, which becomes painful and sore, with cracking of the skin at the corners of the mouth. The tongue becomes shiny, smooth and inflamed -- a condition known as glossitis. Oil glands of the skin may become clogged, leading to a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis. Anemia can develop in severe cases of riboflavin deficiency. Because riboflavin is involved with vitamin B6 metabolism, riboflavin deficiency can result in B6 deficiency.
Widespread Effects
In general, riboflavin deficiency impacts production of energy, amino acids and lipids and thereby affects all processes in the body in some way, according to Gerald F. Combs, author of the book "The Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health." Loss of appetite and impaired growth may occur, along with nerve disorders. Enzymes that rely on riboflavin will show decreased activity. One in particular is erythrocyte glutathione reductase, which protects your red blood cells from oxidative damage. White blood cells and platelets -- the clotting component of your blood -- also decrease in number. In humans, riboflavin deficiency takes about three to four months to become apparent.
Iron and Riboflavin
An English study published in the June 2011 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that riboflavin may influence iron status in the body. In the study, 123 women aged 19 to 25 with mild riboflavin deficiency took 2 to 4 mg of riboflavin for eight weeks. Results showed significant improvement in riboflavin status and in hemoglobin levels. Women with the lowest starting levels showed the greatest improvement. Iron intake and absorption did not change, implying that riboflavin improved the utilization of iron, in this study.
References
- "Nutrition"; Paul Insel; 2010
- "The Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health"; Gerald F. Combs; 2008
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Correcting a Marginal Riboflavin Deficiency Improves Hematologic Status in Young Women in the United Kingdom (Ribofem); H. Powers, et al.; June 2011
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