The Alphabet of Vitamins – Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

You hear all about them in every day conversation but what do you really know about vitamins? Everyone knows that they’re good for us but how are they good for us? Give us the details, please!

Vitamin B2, or Riboflavin, is water-soluble and involved in complex chemical reactions for energy production and other metabolic processes. It acts as a part of coenzymes aiding in reactions that turn what you eat into energy your body can use and can be found in dairy products, spinach, almonds, and broccoli.

Riboflavin is all about energy and it does its job as a coenzyme that moves electrons between different molecules during a chemical reaction. All reactions require a molecule with extra electrons, like the ones that happen between antioxidants and free radicals. It’s the same process of electron transfer but for a different purpose — energy.

Riboflavin is part of two energy-catalyzing coenzymes that donate an electron in reactions help your body produce energy from your diet. As your body breaks down food, it breaks the chemical bonds – the result of breaking these bonds is the release of electrons. One of Riboflavin’s jobs is to capture these electrons and help squeeze every last bit of energy out of it so your body can put it to work.

Vitamin B2 doesn’t just aid in the metabolism of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, it also helps your body metabolize drugs and steroids, and helps convert tryptophan to niacin. Riboflavin deficiency shows up alongside deficiencies in other B vitamins, particularly niacin and pyridoxine. Athletes, alcoholics, and pregnant women are at higher risk for deficiency but Riboflavin is widely available in the diet, with no oral toxic complications.

So let’s review – Riboflavin is an essential water-soluble vitamin critical for producing energy for your body through breaking down food as well as its metabolizing prowess. All extremely good reasons to make Vitamin B2 a part of your daily life and nutritional plan.