Vitamin B2: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Riboflavin
Scientific name(s)
Riboflavin
Family or group:
Vitamins
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Vitamin B2 deficiency ✪✪✪✪✪
Nutritional vitamin B2 deficiency is rare and clinical signs are non-specific. One may find skin or mucous membrane lesions (seborrheic dermatitis, angular cheilosis, stomatitis with a "purple tongue") and sometimes ocular involvement with photophobia due to corneal and retinal lesions, conjunctival hypervascularization, growth retardation, anemia, kidney lesions, and degenerative changes of the nervous system. Vitamin B2 deficiency can occur in overall deficiencies such as unbalanced, protein-deficient diets, or through the use of unsupplemented infant formulas. nnIn ariboflavinosis, riboflavin has been used at doses of 5 to 30 mg per day in divided doses.nn
Posologie
Oral route
5 - 30 mg
1 - years
Adults
McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.nn
B-group vitamins: structures and roles in metabolism, nutritional deficiencies
Riboflavin status of adolescent southern Chinese: riboflavin saturation studies.
Biochemical indices and neuromuscular function tests in rural Gambian schoolchildren given a riboflavin, or multivitamin plus iron, supplement.
Eye health ✪✪✪✪✪
Riboflavin plays a role in vision because it contributes to the formation of photoreceptors and provides structural protection to the eyes. FAD (a derivative of vitamin B2) is a cofactor for glutathione reductase activity. The increase in glutathione levels produced by this enzyme may play a role in the prevention of cataracts. Glutathione reductase reduces oxidized glutathione to its reduced form, GSH. GSH is thought to protect the lens against oxidative damage. Thus, affected patients appear to have low levels of GSH.
Posologie
Oral
1.6 mg
Oxidative stress ✪✪✪✪✪
Riboflavin is an essential vitamin used to produce the two flavocoenzymes, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These coenzymes are mainly involved in oxidation-reduction reactions in the body. FAD plays an important role in the body's antioxidant system by serving as a cofactor for glutathione reductase (an enzyme that regenerates glutathione, a molecule essential for resistance to oxidative stress and for preserving intracellular pH).
Posologie
Oral
1.6 mg
Hyperhomocysteinemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Homocysteine appears to be reduced by riboflavin supplementation, but this effect has only been observed in subjects carrying a specific genetic mutation (TT genotype) that reduces the activity of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme involved in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Indeed, taking 1.6 mg of riboflavin per day for 12 weeks increases riboflavin levels and reduces homocysteine levels by 22% to 40% in individuals with the TT genotype. On the other hand, taking 75 mg of riboflavin per day, in combination with folic acid at 0.4 mg and pyridoxine at 120 mg, in people with hyperhomocysteinemia caused by the use of antiepileptic drugs, reduces plasma total homocysteine by 26% compared with baseline.
Posologie
Oral
1.6 - 75 mg
12 - weeks
Adults
Riboflavin as a determinant of plasma total homocysteine: effect modification by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism.
Effect of riboflavin status on the homocysteine-lowering effect of folate in relation to the MTHFR (C677T) genotype.
Migraine ✪✪✪✪✪
In most clinical studies evaluating riboflavin supplementation, migraine prophylaxis in adults with migraine shows that taking 400 mg daily for up to 3 months can reduce the frequency, severity and duration of migraine attacks compared with placebo. In children with migraine, a daily dose of 200 mg for 4 weeks does not significantly improve migraine frequency. The effect of 400 mg of riboflavin per day in children with migraine has not been studied.
Posologie
Oral
200 - 400 mg
3 - months
Adults
Prophylactic treatment of migraine with beta-blockers and riboflavin: differential effects on the intensity dependence of auditory evoked cortical potentials.
High-dose riboflavin treatment is efficacious in migraine prophylaxis: an open study in a tertiary care center.
High-dose riboflavin for migraine prophylaxis in children: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial.
Cataract ✪✪✪✪✪
The daily intake of 3 mg riboflavin and 40 mg niacin in combination for 5 to 6 years appears to be associated with a lower risk of developing nuclear cataract compared with placebo.
Posologie
Oral
3 - 40 mg
6 - years
Adults, Seniors
High blood pressure ✪✪✪✪✪
Riboflavin appears to reduce blood pressure in individuals carrying a specific genetic mutation (TT genotype) that reduces the activity of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme involved in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Indeed, preliminary clinical research suggests that taking 1.6 mg of riboflavin per day for 16 weeks reduces systolic blood pressure by 9 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 6 mmHg compared with placebo in individuals with the TT genotype and early cardiovascular disease.
Posologie
Oral
1.6 mg
16 - weeks
Adults
Acid-Base Balance ✪✪✪✪✪
There is preliminary clinical evidence that riboflavin may be useful for treating lactic acidosis caused by treatment with a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The mechanism is unclear.
Posologie
Oral
1.6 mg
Sports Performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Riboflavin contributes to normal energy metabolism, the maintenance of normal red blood cells, and normal iron metabolism, which suggests its importance for athletes. In human research, restriction of riboflavin intake led to a significant reduction in athletic (aerobic) performance, in the onset of lactate accumulation in the blood, and in oxygen consumption. However, the role of riboflavin deficiency in these performance effects is not clear.
Posologie
Oral administration
1.6 mg
Anemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Riboflavin plays a role in erythropoiesis (red blood cell formation), improves iron absorption, and helps mobilize ferritin from tissues. In studies, riboflavin deficiency has been shown to interfere with iron utilization, but not its absorption, and the observed anemia was not due to a lack of iron but to impaired hemoglobin synthesis. More recent Chinese data show that insufficient riboflavin intake is associated with an increased risk of persistent anemia. There was a positive association between riboflavin intake and anemia in women, particularly those under 50 years of age. Therefore, correcting a riboflavin deficiency may be one component of anemia prevention. Further trials are needed for this purpose.
Posologie
Oral administration
10 mg
Cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Studies suggest that riboflavin (vitamin B2) may play a protective role against certain cancers. An association has been observed between high levels of riboflavin in the blood and a reduced risk of precancerous lesions in the colon, as well as oral and pharyngeal cancers. In addition, a treatment combining riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, and niacin has shown a reduction in markers of breast cancer, suggesting potential to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence. nnThese findings open interesting perspectives on the role of riboflavin in cancer prevention.nn
Posologie
Orally
10 mg
[Chemoprevention of Cervical Cancer--Intervention Study of Cervical Precancerous Lesions by Retinamide II and Riboflavin]
Riboflavin and health: A review of recent human research
[Long-term Effect of Treating Patients With Precancerous Lesions of the Esophagus]
Dietary Intake of Selected B Vitamins in Relation to Risk of Major Cancers in Women
Diet and Premalignant Lesions of the Cervix: Evidence of a Protective Role for Folate, Riboflavin, Thiamin, and Vitamin B12
Riboflavin Deficiency and Esophageal Cancer: A Case Control-Household Study in the Caspian Littoral of Iran
Properties
Essential
Riboflavin is an essential vitamin used in the production of the two flavocoenzymes, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) which are involved in energy production and nutrient utilization. These enzymes protect cells from aggressive (oxidizing) substances produced during the chemical reactions of metabolism. Small amounts of riboflavin are present in most animal and plant tissues. Riboflavin is found in many foods, including milk, meat, eggs, nuts, enriched flour, and green vegetables. Riboflavin deficiency is very rare in Western countries. Insufficient intake manifests, for example, as cracks on the lips and at the corners of the mouth, oily skin, or sore throat. It is more commonly observed in alcoholics, or in those who have a very unbalanced diet.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Riboflavin is an essential vitamin used to produce the two flavocoenzymes, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These coenzymes are primarily involved in redox reactions in the body. FAD plays an important role in the body's antioxidant system, acting as a cofactor for glutathione reductase (an enzyme that helps regenerate glutathione, a molecule essential for resistance to oxidative stress and for maintaining intracellular pH).
Usages associés
Vision
Riboflavin plays a role in vision because it contributes to the formation of photoreceptors and structurally protects the eyes. FAD (a derivative of vitamin B2) is a cofactor for glutathione reductase activity. The increase in glutathione levels produced by this enzyme may play a role in preventing cataracts. Glutathione reductase reduces oxidized glutathione to its reduced form, GSH. GSH is thought to protect the lens against oxidative damage. Thus, affected patients appear to have low levels of GSH.
Usages associés
Neurological
Riboflavin is necessary for the metabolism of essential fatty acids. In addition, riboflavin is involved in the formation of myelin in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. In patients deficient in riboflavin, nerve components, including lipids, are reduced, which may affect brain development. On the other hand, decreased riboflavin levels appear to play a role in the pathophysiology of migraine. Indeed, in migraine there is mitochondrial dysfunction, and riboflavin is necessary for normal mitochondrial function. Thus, it is assumed that riboflavin supplementation may reduce pain or possibly prevent migraines.
Usages associés
Anticancer
In epidemiological research, plasma riboflavin has been inversely associated with the risk of advanced colorectal adenoma lesions. Riboflavin has also been shown to be inversely associated with the risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer. However, in a separate study, dietary intakes of B vitamins, including riboflavin, were not associated with the risk of breast, endometrial, ovarian, colorectal, lung, or thyroid cancer. In human research, a treatment regimen containing riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, and niacin reduced breast cancer tumor markers — carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen — reduced angiogenesis markers and cytokines, increased poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase levels, and resulted in disappearance of methylation patterns of the RASSF1A gene. RASSF1A is a tumor suppressor gene whose role is to modulate the cell cycle and apoptosis. It is often inactivated by promoter hypermethylation in various types of cancer. This could indicate a reduced risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis. However, the effect of riboflavin alone is unclear.
Usages associés
Cardiovascular
Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), a derivative of riboflavin, is a cofactor of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) involved in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine (homocysteine is known as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease). nnIn patients carrying a specific gene mutation that reduces MTHFR enzyme activity, MTHFR levels are decreased (due to reduced binding of the MTHFR enzyme to its riboflavin cofactor (FAD)). This leads to increased plasma homocysteine levels. Riboflavin supplementation is thought to decrease homocysteine levels and may restore MTHFR concentrations.nn
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 1.6 mg
Infants up to 12 months: 0.4 mg
Children 1 to 3 years: 0.6 mg
Children 4 to 6 years: 0.7 mg
Children 7 to 10 years: 1 mg
Children 11 to 14 years: 1.4 mg
Children 15 to 17 years: 1.6 mg
Lactating women 18 years and older: 2 mg
Pregnant women 18 years and older: 1.9 mg
Interactions
Médicaments
Tetracyclines: moderate interaction
Riboflavin may reduce the effect of tetracycline antibiotics.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Vitamin B2: moderate interaction
Riboflavin supplements can improve the hematologic response to iron supplements in some people with anemia. Riboflavin is thought to be involved in mobilizing iron from ferritin (the iron-storage protein) for the synthesis of heme and globin, but it does not appear to significantly affect iron absorption. The effect of riboflavin on iron utilization is likely only significant in people who are riboflavin-deficient.
