VITAMIN B2

• Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is one of eight B vitamins that are essential

for human health. It can be found in grains, plants, and dairy
products. It is crucial for breaking down food components, absorbing
other nutrients, and maintaining tissues.
Deficiency
Vitamin B2 deficiency is a significant risk when diet is poor, because the human body
excretes the vitamin continuously, so it is not stored. A person who has a B2
deficiency normally lacks other vitamins too.

There are two types of riboflavin deficiency:

Primary riboflavin deficiency happens when the person’s diet is poor in vitamin B2
• Secondary riboflavin deficiency happens for another reason, maybe because the
intestines cannot absorb the vitamin properly, or the body cannot use it, or
because it is being excreted too rapidly
Signs and symptoms of deficiency include:
Angular cheilitis, or cracks at the corners of the mouth
Cracked lips
Dry skin
Inflammation of the lining of the mouth
Inflammation of the tongue
Mouth ulcers
Red lips
Sore throat
Scrotal dermatitis
Fluid in mucous membranes
Iron-deficiency anemia
• Eyes may be sensitive to bright light, and they may be itchy, watery, or bloodshot