B2 (vitamin): properties and role in the body. Products containing vitamin B2

Translated from the Latin language, the word "vitamin" is translated as "life" and "protein." And the letters were given to the vitamins as they were discovered. The names of some of them have not only an alphabetic designation, but also a verbal designation. For example, B2 - riboflavin, vitamin A - retinol, B12 - cyanocobalamin. Despite the fact that these elements are needed in small doses, their consumption must be daily. In some cases, the need for them increases: for example, during pregnancy, with certain diseases, with increased physical or mental stress.

Ways of getting vitamins into the body

• Exogenous. In this case, vitamins enter our body from the outside - with food or with bio-additives. The most optimal option, of course, will be natural products. First, they are better absorbed by man. Secondly, nature provides a combination of different groups of vitamins, enhancing the impact of each other.
• Endogenous, or internal. Vitamins come from the synthesis of bacteria in the intestine. Weaknesses of this path - a small amount of production, possible disruptions due to diseases of the digestive tract, as well as insufficient absorption of vitamins from the colon as a result of taking antibiotics.

The causes of insufficient intake of vitamins from food

• Unsatisfactory quality of products. After all, the habitat and ecology have changed, and as a result, crops do not receive in full all the necessary nutrients. Pollutants also deplete already humble reserves. The human diet is becoming scarcer. As a result, it is not always possible to compose your menu in such a way as to completely provide the body with the necessary substances.
• Vitamins disappear during the heat treatment of products.
• Disrupted digestive functions do not allow the body to absorb the necessary substances.
• Insufficient or unbalanced intake of vitamins.
• Seasonality factor: by the autumn the body accumulates vitamins, and by the spring their deficiency is revealed. The consumption of vitamins should be regular. Note that before you start taking multivitamins, you need to consult a specialist.

Riboflavin: description

B2 vitamin, or vitamin of growth, is necessary for the human body for the normal functioning of cells, the metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, tissue respiration. Riboflavin is a water-soluble substance. In combination with vitamin A it allows to ensure the integrity of mucous membranes. In addition, this element is involved in the absorption of vitamin B6 and iron from food, helps to remove eye fatigue, prevent cataracts. Preparations that contain vitamin B2 are used in the treatment of skin diseases, poorly healing wounds, anemia, diabetes, eye diseases, intestinal pathologies, liver cirrhosis.

The main functions of vitamin B2

• Participation in the assimilation of iron by the body;
• Participation in all metabolic processes, including, in the synthesis of ATP;
• Synthesis of hemoglobin;
• Maintaining the normal functioning of the eye;
• Ensuring the normal functioning of thyroid function;
• Maintain healthy skin, nails, hair.

What is riboflavin

B2 vitamin is a part of products such as milk, cereals, greens, liver, kidneys, vegetables, yeast, almonds, mushrooms. In the human body, it does not accumulate, so every day it should be replenished. The average daily requirement for this vitamin is 1.3 mg on average. In pregnant women, this rate increases to 1.6 mg. It must be remembered that light destroys vitamin B2 in food. This must be taken into account when preparing food and storing food. Pasteurized milk should not be boiled, as heat treatment can completely destroy the riboflavin contained in the milk.

Why does the body lack riboflavin

The main cause of vitamin B2 deficiency in the body are the following: unbalanced diet, lack of this vitamin in incoming food, improper storage or preparation of foods rich in riboflavin. Another reason may be a violation of absorption in the intestine, an increase in the need for this vitamin with increased physical exertion or, for example, pregnancy. Chronic diarrhea, liver disease, alcoholism can also cause vitamin B2 deficiency.

Symptoms of lack of B2

The manifestation of riboflavin deficiency can be seborrheic dermatitis (coarse scaly skin, especially on the face), angular stomatitis, which is characterized by cracks in the corners of the mouth. Possible nerve disorders, weakness in the muscles, pain in the legs. As a rule, deficiency of vitamin B2 without complications is rare. More often it is combined with eating disorders and changing biochemical parameters. Extremely negative shortage of this vitamin affects the child's body. So, children with riboflavin deficiency lag behind in development from peers, their memory worsens and there is inattention, absent-mindedness. If you suspect a vitamin B2 deficiency, a blood test is prescribed.

Vitamins in ampoules

To compensate for the lack of riboflavin, vitamin B2 is frequently prescribed in ampoules. The course of admission is 1 - 1.5 months. B2 is well combined with vitamin B6, enhancing its effectiveness. It will also be useful to combine riboflavin with zinc preparations. This combination will improve the digestibility of zinc, due to which this microelement will be more bioavailable. Incompatible riboflavin with vitamins C and B1.

Necessity for pregnant women

Vitamins В1, В2 are required for pregnant women in much larger quantities than for ordinary people. The daily requirement for thiamine in women in the "interesting" position is 10-20 mg per day. Thanks to the intake of vitamins, an early manifestation of toxicosis is prevented, the weakness of labor is prevented, the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems is stimulated, and appetite improves. When these elements are deficient, there are digestive disturbances, muscle weakness, pain in the heart area, disruption of fetal development and growth. Vitamin B2 also prevents the appearance of nipple cracks.

Vitamins of group B

The whole complex of B vitamins provides healthy work of the nervous system and is responsible for energy metabolism. In many respects, the functioning of the immune system and the efficiency of cell growth depend on these elements. To a modern person, experiencing mental and emotional stress, subject to stress, chronic diseases, B vitamins are needed in significant quantities. Vitamins B1, B2, B6 are found in brewer's yeast. Pyridoxine is necessary for the body to assimilate amino acids, takes part in the exchange of proteins, fats, carbohydrates. Vitamins B2, B6, B12 can be obtained by consuming beef liver. Cyanocobalamin is needed for normal hematopoiesis, it ensures normalization of fat metabolism in the liver, helps lower cholesterol in the blood and improve memory.

Vitamins B1, B2, B12 are the basis for normal vital activity of any organism among mammals. As a rule, when these substances are deficient, they first show minor symptoms that people usually do not pay attention to. However, later they lead to irreversible changes. So, in an organism the maintenance of a calcium, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium decreases. This, in turn, is expressed by the destruction of teeth, physical exhaustion, decreased appetite, and as a consequence, anorexia, impaired vision.

Vitamins B6, B2, B1, B12 are water soluble, so they need to be consumed daily with food. You can also buy riboflavin in ampoules in a pharmacy. But this should be done only if the vitamin deficiency is observed for a long time, and only after consultation with your attending physician. Complex action of B vitamins is much more effective than each element individually. Unbalanced nutrition leads most often to a lack of a number of vitamins, so they should also be taken in combination.

Important about vitamins

These substances are destroyed during heat treatment. B2 vitamin is sensitive to light and is water-soluble. Obtaining an excess of these trace elements from food is impossible. Excess is excreted by the body with the products of excretion. Vitamins of group B should enter our body daily, as they do not have the ability to accumulate. These substances are destroyed by alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, tannins, sugar refined sugar. They can also be excreted from the body when consuming antibiotics. To avoid such risks, during the course of this or that treatment the doctor can prescribe vitamin B2 in ampoules. During stresses, the rate of metabolic processes increases, so in such cases the body's need for vitamins increases. With gastritis and peptic ulcer there is a violation of the synthesis of vitamin B in the microflora of the body.

Food and vitamins

Vitamin B2 is rich in food of animal origin: it is milk and dairy products, yoghurts, ice cream, poultry, eggs, fish, cheese, liver, yeast. Also, this microelement can enrich the body with nuts, whole wheat bread, cereals, mushrooms, green vegetables - broccoli, spinach, avocado. To get a daily rate of riboflavin, half a teaspoon of raw, unroasted pine nuts will be enough. If you include buckwheat, rice and oats in your daily diet, then you do not have to worry about the lack of vitamin B2 in your body. Fruit lovers should know that the most riboflavin is found in apricots.