There are numerous riboflavin benefits, also known as vitamin B2, associated with health.

The body needs riboflavin for energy production,metabolism, and growth.

Rich food sources of riboflavin include some meats, chicken, dairy, vegetables, and fruits.

Riboflavin is also included inB-complex vitamin supplements, which are available at drugstores and pharmacies.

Migraines

Migrainesare thought to be due to mitochondrial dysfunction.

A 2017 review of studies in theJournal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapiesfound evidence to support the claims.

Studies suggest that riboflavin can protect against diabetes-related heart disease due to its potentantioxidanteffects.

Antioxidants work by neutralizing molecules calledfree radicalsthat damageDNAin cells, causing them to age prematurely.

In the heart, the damage sparked by free radicals can lead to prematurecardiovascular disease.

Riboflavin may also help control glucose by improving the function of thepancreas, the organ that producesinsulin.

Insulin is the hormone that regulates the flow of glucose into mitochondria.

Sepsis

Sepsisis the potentially deadly overreaction of the immune system to a systemic (whole-body) infection.

Riboflavin exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects that appear to temper the overreactive immune response.

The reason for the increased breakdown is unclear, but riboflavin appears to temper the production of dicarboxylic acids.

In theory, this may help prevent the onset of this increasingly common neurodevelopmental syndrome.

Other researchers suggest daily vitamin B2 supplements may help reduce certain autism symptoms.

More research is needed.

Cancer

There is growing evidence that riboflavin exerts a protective effect against certain types of cancer.

It is thought to do so due to its antioxidant effects of the vitamin.

How Much Riboflavin Do I Need?

The RDA can vary by age, sex, and pregnancy/breastfeeding status.

A vitamin B2 supplement may be prescribed if a deficiency is diagnosed.

Signs of vitamin B2 deficiency include:

Who’s at Risk for Riboflavin Deficiency?

They are generally taken once daily by mouth with or without food.

Riboflavin can degrade when exposed to high temperatures or ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

To avoid this, keep the supplement in its original light-resistant container in a cool drawer or cabinet.

Discard any expired or discolored supplements.

Keep out of reach of children or pets.

Do not take doses larger than those listed on the product label.

While excess riboflavin is usually excreted from the body in urine, taking huge doses can lead to toxicity.

For this reason, you may want to take a B-complex supplement which includes all the B vitamins.

Interactions

High vitamin B2 doses can also cause drug interactions.

As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label.

Even so, you shouldn’t take more than the recommended dose.

Doing so can lead to side effects and toxicity.

Always advise your healthcare provider about any supplements you take.

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