Vitamin B2 Benefits
Author: Kamen Loze
Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin is a water soluble vitamin. It helps to regulate red blood cells growth and helps to maintain healthy eyes and skin. B2 maintains a strong immune system with added protection from free radicals. The vitamin is necessary for the production
of flavin mononucleotide and for flavin adenine denucleotide. Riboflavin is essential for the proper formation of red blood cells and hence helps produce anti bodies. It is also required to maintain the mucous membranes that are located throughout the digestive tract.
Vitamin B2 also plays an important role in maintaining muscle tone along the lining of the digestive tract, and promoting the physical condition of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver. Riboflavin is an important nutrient in the prevention of headache and some visual disturbances, particularly cataracts. The best source of B2 is milk. In order to get enough to meet the recommended daily allowance, one would have to drink at least one quart of milk daily. Riboflavin is also found in meat and fish, as well as some fruits and vegetables, especially dark green vegetables.
Milk, eggs and dairy products are excellent sources of Vitamin B2. Most people who have a nutritionally well balanced diet possess sufficient quantities of vitamin B2 as it is found in most plant and animal tissues. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli and asparagus are also good
sources of B2 as are nuts, legumes, mushrooms, fruits, fish and whole grains and cereals.
Deficiency of riboflavin or ariboflavinonis is widespread in India particularly in populations
where rice is the staple. The most common lesion associated with riboflavin deficiency is angular stomatitis, which occurs frequently is malnourished children and its prevalence is used as an index of the state of nutrition of groups of children.
There are thought to be low levels of this vitamin in most people’s diets, however there are plenty of good sources available. It is very often added to foods such as cereals and fruit drinks to enrich them. It is also used in many multivitamins. Naturally, if you have a good diet that contains most of the essential food group’s in the right proportions, then you should be getting enough Vitamin B2.
This vitamin can be sourced from a variety of foods. In fact you probably consume more vitamin B2 than you realize. Milk is one of the best sources of riboflavin but other dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt also contain good levels. Therefore, if you don't think you are consuming enough of this vitamin try adding some dairy to your diet. Riboflavin is needed to form hair, skin and nails, and for good vision. Riboflavin has antioxidant qualities and boosts your immune system by helping to form antibodies, blood proteins that seek out and destroy foreign substances. A lack of riboflavin can stop vitamin B6 from working.
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