Riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2)

Riboflavin in EnergyNeeds®

Because of the potential for nausea at very-high dosing, supplementation of riboflavin in EnergyNeeds® is only moderate. Individuals with substantial migraine or other specific riboflavin-responsive conditions may want to discuss adding additional supplementation with their physician.

The Details

What Is Riboflavin?

Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is one of the eight B-complex vitamins. Riboflavin cannot be manufactured by humans and is thus a true vitamin, obtained exclusively from the diet.

What Does Riboflavin Do?

Riboflavin is an enzyme cofactor, which means that it is a necessary component for enzyme function. Riboflavin is a cofactor in a wide range of enzymes, including enzymes in the electron transport chain, fatty acid metabolism, Krebs cycle, branched-chain amino acid catabolism, and glutathione antioxidant pathway. In addition, riboflavin is required for the activation of many other vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, and iron. Many, but not all, of these roles are in energy production.

What Does a Riboflavin Deficiency Appear As?

Riboflavin deficiency is generally found today in cases of extreme malnutrition. Outside of that context, riboflavin deficiency can be found in people whose diet consists mostly of white polished grains (not whole grains), or with substantial GI malabsorption such as chronic diarrhea. Signs and symptoms usually involve the blood (anemia) and skin (painful, fissured rashes, including in the mouth).

What About Riboflavin’s Use in Disease?

Riboflavin is supplemented in individuals with mitochondrial disease or dysfunction mostly in order to provide extraordinary levels that serve to force riboflavin-containing enzymes to increase their activity. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for riboflavin is about 1 mg, but doses from 25 to 200 mg are generally used in disorders of energy metabolism. Those suffering from migraines may find that taking riboflavin may help. Per a recent review (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28485121) a “total of 11 clinical trials reveal a mixed effect of riboflavin in the prophylaxis of migraine headache. Five clinical trials show a consistent positive therapeutic effect in adults; four clinical trials show a mixed effect in paediatric and adolescent patients, and two clinical trials of combination therapy have not shown benefit.” Studies often use 400 mg of riboflavin a day for migraine prevention, but lower doses may be appropriate for pre-adolescents and people sensitive to developing nausea. In addition to migraine, riboflavin is often supplemented in other conditions associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including autism. Riboflavin is also important for eye health, in part as this vitamin is needed to protect glutathione, which is an important antioxidant in the eye. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) reports that eating a diet rich in riboflavin can lower the risk of developing cataracts. Due to its role in the maturation of vitamins, taking riboflavin can also reduce homocysteine levels in the blood by 26 to 40 percent, according to the NLM.

What Are the Common and/or Important Side Effects of Riboflavin?

While any supplement taken into the stomach can cause nausea, riboflavin is well known for this. Thus, medical care providers often recommend a lower dose at first, which is increased over time. However, riboflavin is water-soluble and excessive amounts are excreted by the kidneys, so toxicity is unlikely. A dose of 400 mg a day has been recommended for the treatment of migraine, and causes no known toxicity. Per a review article regarding 11 trials of high-dose riboflavin for migraine, “adverse reactions with riboflavin have generally been mild” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28485121). Riboflavin can also make the yellow glow a bright yellow color, and the urine has a characteristic odor.

Is There Any Laboratory Testing for a Riboflavin Deficiency?

Laboratory testing can reveal the presence of a deficiency of this nutrient, but is generally not likely to have clinically utility.

What About Additional Dosing Beyond EnergyNeeds®?

Therapeutic dosages of riboflavin in migraineous conditions typically are up to 400 mg a day, yet EnergyNeeds® contains only 40 mg (in adults). Thus, you may wish to speak to your health care provider regarding additional riboflavin supplementation beyond EnergyNeeds® if your child has migraine or one of the conditions for which very-high dose riboflavin supplementation is often recommended.