Vitamin B-Complex

At Work in Enzyme Production

Riboflavin is essential for proper body functioning, especially as it relates to energy production.* It provides energy at the most basic level: inside the body’s cells. Riboflavin is needed to make two enzymes that are absolutely critical for releasing energy from the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins consumed.

Riboflavin and its derivatives are also involved in cell growth and reproduction. It helps the body make new red blood cells, which are necessary for carrying oxygen so people can breathe. It also helps the immune system by keeping healthy mucous membranes that line your digestive and respiratory systems.

Riboflavin is involved with an enzyme called glutathione reductase, which helps the body maintain a major protector against free radicals. Because of this, emerging evidence indicates that riboflavin can act as an antioxidant in the body, potentially helping the immune system and promoting healthy cholesterol by helping to quench free radicals in the body.*

Riboflavin assists in a number of vital chemical processes in the body. For example, folate and vitamin B6 require riboflavin to undergo the chemical changes that make them useful. Amino acids are also transformed by riboflavin and its derivatives into what are called neurotransmitters, chemicals essential for memory and thinking.

Scientific References

Ajayi OA. George BO. Ipadeola T. Clinical trial of riboflavin in sickle cell disease. East African Medical Journal. 70(7):418-21, 1993 Jul.

Akompong T, Ghori N and K Haldar. In vitro activity of riboflavin against the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. Jan. 44(1): 88-96. 2000.

Arts, WFM. Scholte HR, Bogaard JM, et al. NADH-CoQ reductase deficient myopathy: successful treatemnt with riboflavin (letter). Lancet. 2:581-582. 1983.

Belko AZ, et al. Effects of exercise on riboflavin requirements in young women. A. J. Clin. Nutr. 37:509-517. 1983.

Bernsen PL. Gabreels FJ. Ruitenbeek W. Sengers RC. Stadhouders AM. Renier WO. Successful treatment of pure myopathy, associated with complex I deficiency, with riboflavin and carnitine. Archives of Neurology. 48(3):334-8, 1991 Mar.

Carrigan PJ, Machinist J and RP Kershner. Riboflavin nutritional status and absorption in oral contraceptive users and nonusers. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 32:2047-2051. 1979.

Chen RD. [Chemoprevention of cervical cancer—intervention study of cervical precancerous lesions by retinamide II and riboflavin]. [Chinese] Chung-Hua Chung Liu Tsa Chih [Chinese Journal of Oncology]. 15(4):272-4, 1993 Jul.

Folkers K, Wolaniuk A and S Vadhanavikit. Enzymology of the response of the carpal tunnel syndrome to riboflavin and to combined riboflavin and pyridoxine. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 81:7076-7078. 1984.

Gilman AG, Rall TW, Nies AS, et al (eds). Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed. Pergamon Press. New York. 1990.

Jablonska, S. Treatment of acne vulgaris and rosacea (letter). Arch Dermatol. 111:929. 1975.

Kaplan JC and M Chirouze. Therapy of recessive congenital methemoglobulinemia by oral riboflavin (letter). Lancet. 2:1043-1044. 1978.

Lai CS and GA Ransome. Burning feet syndrome: case due to malabsorption and responding to riboflavin. Br. Med J. 2:151-152. 1970.

Marks BD, Marks AD, and CM Smith. Basic Medical Biochemistry: A Clinical Approach. Lippincot Williams and Wilkins. Philadelphia. 1996.

Pletsityi KD. [Vitamins and immunity. Biotin, pantothenic acid and riboflavin]. [Review] [Russian] Voprosy Pitaniia. (4):18-22, 1990 Jul-Aug.

Sandor PS. Afra J. Ambrosini A. Schoenen J. Prophylactic treatment of migraine with beta-blockers and riboflavin: differential effects on the intensity dependence of auditory evoked cortical potentials. Headache. 40(1):30-5, 2000 Jan.

Schoenen J, Lenaerts M and E Bastings. High dose riboflavin as a prophylactic treatment of migraine: results of an open pilot study. Cephalgia. 14:328-329. 1994.

Schoenen J, Jacquy J and Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial. Neurology. 50:466-470. 1998.

Seekamp A. Hultquist DE. Till GO. Protection by vitamin B2 against oxidant-mediated acute lung injury. Inflammation. 23(5):449-60, 1999 Oct.

Tang AM, Graham NM, and AJ Saah. Effects of micronutrient intake on survival in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 infection. Am J. Epidemiol. 143(12):1244-1256. 1996.

Vergani L. Barile M. Angelini C. Burlina AB. Nijtmans L. Freda MP. Brizio C. Zerbetto E. Dabbeni-Sala F. Riboflavin therapy. Biochemical heterogeneity in two adult lipid storage myopathies. Brain. 122(Pt 12):2401-11, 1999 Dec.

Yee AJ. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis [letter; comment]. Neurology. 52(2):431-2, 1999 Jan 15.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.