It was in 1879 that a yellowish green fluorescent pigment was identified in milk. The use of the substance, however, was not clarified until the 1930's when the yellow enzyme isolated from yeast was discovered to be an essential element for growth in laboratory animals. It was named Riboflavin or vitamin B2.
Vitamin B2 is one of a group of chemicals with similar structures called flavins. It is readily absorbed into the system when taken with food, but, surprisingly, only about 15% of the drug is absorbed when taken on an empty stomach. Excess vitamin B2 is excreted in the uring, giving it (the urine) a distinctive fluorescent yellow color.
Vitamin B2 assists in energy metabolism, fatty and amino acid synthesis, and functions in the deamination of amino acids. It is (B2) also a component of two flavins essential for energy production.
Since the vitamin is so readily excreted in the urine, there has been no toxic level of B2 identified to this moment. Absorption by the digestive tract, however, may be limited to 20 mgm at a single dose.
The bodily requirement of B2 is related to a person's caloric intake. The current Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is .6mgm for every 1000 calories ingested, or 1.2 mgm daily. These requirements increase during pregnancy, lactation, and possibly, with strenuous exercise.
There are very few symptoms of deficiencies, and those that do appear are rare and accompany a lack of thiamin and niacin. Though there is no specific deficiency disease associated with B2, there are some general symptoms noted when B2 is lacking. Some are Glossitis (magenta tongue), angular stomatitis, depression, nerve damage, sore throat, reduced neurotransmitters, cracks at the corners of the mouth and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth.
Three of the best sources of vitamin B2 are milk, and milk products, liver, and, surprisingly, oysters. Other good sources of B2 are dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, mushrooms, and Salmon. One problem to face is that light destroys the vitamin so storage must be in a light resistant place.
In research done at the Rheumatology City Hospital in Birmingham, UK, vitamin status was measured in 91 active and inactive Arthritis sufferers, and 220 perfectly healthy subjects. Results demonstrated 33% of the subjects with active disease symptoms were confirmed to have B2 deficiency. Only 9% of the inactive arthritis group were deficient in B2. Those with low B2 levels also complained of greater pain and stiffer joints than those who were properly nourished. The researchers concluded that a deficiency of the vitamin might aggravate the symptomology and facilitate further inflammation.
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