Riboflavin

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Riboflavin, also called vitamin B2 or vitamin G, a substance essential for the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body, and in the production of energy. Riboflavin plays a vital role in the health of the skin and is needed for production of certain hormones by the adrenal glands, the pair of hormone-secreting organs that sit on top of each kidney. Because it is a water-soluble vitamin—that is, it is not stored in the body, but is excreted in sweat or urine—riboflavin needs to be constantly replaced in the body.

Rich sources of riboflavin include milk, cheese and yogurt, lean meat, liver, green leafy vegetables, eggs, and enriched breads and cereals. Because cheese and milk are such good dietary sources of the vitamin, lactose-intolerant people, including many of the elderly, are vulnerable to deficiency problems. Individuals who exercise often, especially women, are also at risk for riboflavin deficiency. A lack of riboflavin in the diet may result in inflammation, scaling, and blistering of the skin—symptoms characteristic of such conditions as dermatitis and eczema. Other problems can include general fatigue, burning eyes, cracks and sores in mouth and on the lips, and digestive problems.

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