Vitamin B2

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
Anemia and Vitamin B2 Deficiency	5 to 30 mg daily in divided doses	Vitamin B2 deficiency can contribute to anemia, supplementing with this vitamin may restore levels and improve symptoms.
Anemia and Vitamin B2 Deficiency 5 to 30 mg daily in divided doses Deficiencies of iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are the most common nutritional causes of anemia.¹ Although rare, severe deficiencies of several other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A,² ^{, 3} vitamin B2,⁴ vitamin B6,⁵ ^{, 6} vitamin C,⁷ and copper,⁸ ^{, 9} can also cause anemia by various mechanisms. Rare genetic disorders can cause anemias that may improve with large amounts of supplements such as vitamin B1.¹⁰ ^{, 11}

Used for	Amount	Why
Migraine Headache (For adults only )	400 mg daily	Studies have shown vitamin B2 to be effective at reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.
Migraine Headache 400 mg daily One group of researchers treated 49 migraine patients with large amounts of vitamin B2 (400 mg per day). Both the frequency and severity of migraines decreased by more than two-thirds.¹² In a follow-up three-month, double-blind trial, the same researchers reported that 59% of patients assigned to receive vitamin B2 had at least a 50% reduction in the number of headache days, whereas only 15% of those assigned to receive a placebo experienced that degree of improvement.¹³ The effects of vitamin B2 were most pronounced during the final month of the trial.¹⁴ In a preliminary study, a much smaller amount of vitamin B2 (25 mg per day for three months) reduced the frequency of migraines by about one-third in chronic migraine sufferers.¹⁵ All of the studies that found riboflavin to be effective for preventing migraine were conducted in adults. In a double-blind trial, supplementation with 200 mg per day of riboflavin did not decrease the frequency or severity of migraines in children whose average age was 11 years.¹⁶ Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Cataracts	3 mg daily with 40 mg daily vitamin B3	Vitamin B2 is needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. In one study, supplementing with vitamin B2 prevented cataracts in people who were deficient.
Cataracts 3 mg daily with 40 mg daily vitamin B3 People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.¹⁷ ^{, 18} Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 are needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been linked to cataracts.¹⁹^{, 20} Older people taking 3 mg of vitamin B2 and 40 mg of vitamin B3 per day were partly protected against cataracts in one trial.²¹ However, the intake of vitamin B2 in China is relatively low, and it is not clear whether supplementation would help prevent cataracts in populations where vitamin B2 intake is higher. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
High Homocysteine	1.6 mg daily	Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) supplementation has been shown to lower homocysteine levels in certain people.
High Homocysteine 1.6 mg daily Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) supplementation (1.6 mg per day) has been shown to lower homocysteine levels by 22 to 40% in a subset of the population that has a certain genetic variant of an enzyme involved in folic acid metabolism (the 677Cà T polymorphism for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene).²² Approximately 15 to 20% of the population carries this gene and could benefic from taking riboflavin. Since genetic testing is expensive and not readily available, it would seem reasonable for all people trying to lower their homocysteine levels to include riboflavin in their regimen of B vitamin supplementation. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Parkinson’s Disease	30 mg three times a day	In one study, people with Parkinson’s disease who had vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency and supplemented with riboflavin experienced improved motor capacity.
Parkinson’s Disease 30 mg three times a day In a preliminary study of 31 Brazilian individuals with Parkinson’s disease, all had laboratory evidence of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency. Nineteen of these individuals received 30 mg of supplemental riboflavin three times a day for six months. After three months, all participants treated with riboflavin demonstrated an improvement in motor capacity, and this improvement was either maintained or greater at six months.²³ The participants in this study also eliminated red meat from their diet, but it is not clear whether that dietary change played any role in the observed improvement. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Preeclampsia	Refer to label instructions	Women who are deficient in vitamin B2 (riboflavin) are more likely to develop preeclampsia than women with normal levels. Supplementation may correct a deficiency.
Preeclampsia Women who are deficient in vitamin B2 (riboflavin) are more likely to develop preeclampsia than women with normal vitamin B2 levels.²⁴ These results were observed in a developing country, where vitamin B2 deficiencies are more common than in the United States. Nevertheless, insufficient vitamin B2 may contribute to the abnormalities underlying the disease process. Learn More

Also indexed as:

riboflavin,
vitamin B2,
vitamin B-2

About this treatment

How to Use It

The ideal level of intake is not known. The amounts found in many multivitamin supplements (20–25 mg) are more than adequate for most people.

Where to Find It

Dairy products, eggs, and meat contain significant amounts of vitamin B2. Leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and enriched grains contain some vitamin B2.

Possible Deficiencies

Vitamin B2 deficiency can occur in alcoholics. Also, a deficiency may be more likely in people with cataracts or sickle cell anemia. In developing countries, vitamin B2 deficiency has been found to be a risk factor for the development of preeclampsia in pregnant women. People with chronic fatigue syndrome may be deficient in vitamin B2.

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Last Review: 05-11-2011

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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