Vitamin B2, found in animal and plant tissues, aids the body’s metabolic system, cell function, growth, and energy production. A deficiency can cause fatigue, sore throat, bloodshot eyes, skin irritations, and anemia. It can be treated by increasing intake of foods containing the vitamin or taking supplements. Vegetarians and vegans are at higher risk of deficiency.
Vitamin B2 is a vitamin that helps the body metabolize carbohydrates. If a person has a vitamin B2 deficiency, also called riboflavin deficiency, they will usually experience a number of symptoms, including fatigue, sore throat, bloodshot eyes, and skin irritations. A vitamin B2 deficiency usually occurs along with a deficiency in other B vitamins. For example, because vitamin B2 activates vitamin B6, a decrease in B2 can cause a decrease in B6. Therefore, it may be important for a person to be aware of the intake of all B vitamins.
According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin B2, which is found in most animal and plant tissues, aids the body’s metabolic system, cell function, cell growth, and energy production. This vitamin can be found in dairy products, eggs, meats, whole grains, liver, and green vegetables. Due to the prevalence of this vitamin in meat and dairy products, vegetarians and vegans are often at the highest risk of vitamin B2 deficiency.
Because vitamin B2 aids in cell production and growth, a deficiency can cause inflammation of the mouth, mouth sores, chapped lips, dandruff, and hair loss. A more severe deficiency can cause anemia and adrenal gland malfunction. Due to the vitamin’s involvement in energy production, a deficiency can lead to insomnia and fatigue. In pregnant women, it can cause preeclampsia, hypertension during pregnancy.
A vitamin B2 deficiency can occur in people who do not eat enough of the foods that contain the vitamin. Serious diseases that affect the liver, such as alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, and hepatitis C, can cause vitamin B2 deficiency. Additionally, some medications, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and oral contraceptives, can make a person susceptible to vitamin B2 deficiency.
There are several simple treatments for vitamin B2 deficiency. An increase in the intake of foods that contain the vitamin will typically increase levels of the vitamin. Therefore, someone with a vitamin B2 deficiency will want to eat more meats, dairy products, eggs, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin B2 supplements are also available and can help decrease deficiency. However, the best way to decrease deficiency is often to eat more foods that contain the vitamin.
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