Translated from the Latin language, the word "vitamin" is translated as "life" and "protein". And letters were assigned to vitamins as they were discovered. The names of some of them have not only a letter designation, but also verbal. For example, B2 - riboflavin, vitamin A - retinol, B12 - cyancobalamin. Despite the fact that we need these elements in small doses, their consumption should be daily. In some cases, the need for them increases: for example, during pregnancy, with certain diseases, with increased physical or mental stress.
Ways to get vitamins into the body
- Exogenous. In this case, vitamins enter our body from the outside - with food or with dietary supplements. The best option, of course, would be natural products. Firstly, they are better absorbed by man. Secondly, nature provides for a combination of different groups of vitamins that enhance each other's effects.
- Endogenous, or internal. Vitamins come from the synthesis of bacteria in the intestines. The weaknesses of this pathway are a small amount of production, possible failures due to diseases of the digestive tract, as well as insufficient absorption of vitamins from the colon as a result of taking antibiotics.
Reasons for insufficient intake of vitamins from food
- Poor product quality. After all, the habitat and ecology have changed, and as a result, crops do not fully receive all the necessary nutrients. Polluting substances deplete already modest reserves even more. The human diet is becoming increasingly scarce. As a result, it is not always possible to compose your menu in such a way as to fully provide the body with the substances it needs.
- Vitamins disappear during the heat treatment of products.
- Disturbed digestive functions do not allow the body to absorb the necessary substances.
- Inadequate or unbalanced intake of vitamins.
- Seasonality factor: by the fall, the body accumulates vitamins, and by spring their deficiency is detected. Vitamin intake should be regular. Please note that before you start taking multivitamins, you need to consult a specialist.
Riboflavin: Description
B2 vitamin, or growth vitamin, is necessary for the human body for the normal functioning of cells, metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, tissue respiration. Riboflavin is a water-soluble substance. In combination with vitamin A, it helps to ensure the integrity of the mucous membranes. In addition, this element is involved in the absorption of vitamin B6 and iron from food, helps relieve eye fatigue, and prevent cataracts. Preparations containing B2 vitamin are used in the treatment of skin diseases, poorly healing wounds, anemia, diabetes, eye diseases, intestinal pathologies, cirrhosis.
The main functions of vitamin B2
- Participation in the absorption of iron by the body;
- Participation in all metabolic processes, including in the synthesis of ATP;
- Hemoglobin synthesis;
- Maintaining normal functioning of the organs of vision;
- Ensuring the normal functioning of the thyroid gland;
- Maintaining healthy skin, nails, hair.
What is Riboflavin
B2 vitamin is a part of such products as milk, cereals, herbs, liver, kidneys, vegetables, yeast, almonds, mushrooms. In the human body, it does not accumulate, so daily should be replenished. The average daily need for this vitamin is an average of 1.3 mg. In pregnant women, this norm increases to 1.6 mg. It must be remembered that light destroys vitamin B2 in food. This should be considered when cooking and storing food. Pasteurized milk is undesirable to boil, since heat treatment can completely destroy the riboflavin contained in the milk.
Why does the body lack riboflavin
The main causes of vitamin B2 deficiency in the body are as follows: an unbalanced diet, a lack of this vitamin in the incoming food, improper storage or preparation of foods rich in riboflavin. Another reason may be malabsorption in the intestines, increased demand for this vitamin with increased physical activity or, for example, pregnancy. Chronic diarrhea, liver disease, alcoholism can also cause vitamin B2 deficiency.
Symptoms of B2 deficiency
A manifestation of riboflavin deficiency can be seborrheic dermatitis (rough scaly skin, especially on the face), angular stomatitis, which is characterized by cracks in the corners of the mouth. Nervous disorders, muscle weakness, and leg pain are possible. As a rule, vitamin B2 deficiency without complications is rare. More often it is combined with malnutrition and a change in biochemical parameters. The lack of this vitamin has an extremely negative effect on the children's body. So, children with riboflavin deficiency lag behind their peers in development, their memory worsens and inattention, distraction appears. If vitamin B2 deficiency is suspected, a blood test is prescribed.
Vitamins in Ampoules
To compensate for the lack of riboflavin, vitamin B2 in ampoules is often prescribed . The course of admission is 1 - 1.5 months. B2 goes well with vitamin B6, enhancing its effectiveness. It will also be useful to combine riboflavin with zinc preparations. This combination will improve the absorption of zinc, due to which this trace element will be more bioavailable. Riboflavin is incompatible with vitamins C and B1.
The need for pregnant
Vitamins B1, B2 are required for pregnant women in much larger quantities than ordinary people. The daily need for thiamine in women in an “interesting” position is 10-20 mg per day. Thanks to the intake of vitamins, the early manifestation of toxicosis, weak labor is prevented, the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems is stimulated, and appetite is improved. With a deficiency of these elements, digestive disorders occur, muscle weakness, pain in the region of the heart appear, and development and growth of the fetus are disturbed. Vitamin B2 also prevents nipple cracks.
B vitamins
The whole complex of B vitamins ensures healthy functioning of the nervous system and is responsible for energy metabolism. Also, the functioning of the immune system and the efficiency of cell growth depend largely on these elements. Modern people experiencing mental and emotional stress, prone to stress, chronic diseases, vitamins of group B are needed in significant quantities. Vitamins B1, B2, B6 are found in brewer's yeast. Pyridoxine is necessary for the body to absorb amino acids, takes part in the metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates. Vitamins B2, B6, B12 can be obtained by consuming beef liver. Cyanocobalamin is needed for normal blood formation, provides normalization of fat metabolism in the liver, helps lower blood cholesterol and improves memory.
Vitamins B1, B2, B12 are the basis for the normal functioning of any organism among mammals. As a rule, with a deficiency of these substances, minor symptoms appear first, to which people usually do not pay attention. However, later they lead to irreversible changes. So, the body decreases the content of calcium, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium. This, in turn, is expressed by tooth decay, physical exhaustion, decreased appetite, and as a result, anorexia, impaired vision.
Vitamins B6, B2, B1, B12 are water-soluble, so they need to be consumed daily with food. You can also purchase riboflavin in ampoules at the pharmacy. But this should be done only if vitamin deficiency is observed for a long time, and only after consultation with your doctor. The complex effect of B vitamins is much more effective than each element separately. An unbalanced diet often leads to a lack of a number of vitamins, so they must also be taken in combination.
Essential About Vitamins
These substances are destroyed by heat treatment. B2 vitamin is sensitive to the effects of light and is water soluble. It is impossible to get an excess of these trace elements from food. Excess is excreted by the body with excretory products. B vitamins must be ingested daily, as they do not have the ability to accumulate. These substances are destroyed by alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, tannins, sugar refined. They can also be excreted through the use of antibiotics. To avoid such risks, during the treatment, the doctor may prescribe vitamin B2 in ampoules. During stresses, the rate of metabolic processes increases, therefore, in such cases, the body's need for vitamins increases. With gastritis and peptic ulcer, there is a violation of the synthesis of vitamin B by the microflora of the body.
Food and Vitamins
Vitamin B2 is rich in foods of animal origin: these are milk and dairy products, yogurts, ice cream, poultry, eggs, fish, cheese, liver, and yeast. Also, nuts, whole grain bread, cereals, mushrooms, green vegetables - broccoli, spinach, avocado can enrich the body with this microelement. To get the daily norm of riboflavin, half a teaspoon of unpeeled unroasted pine nuts will be enough. If you include buckwheat, rice and oatmeal in your daily diet, you don’t have to worry about a lack of vitamin B2 in the body. Fruit lovers should know that riboflavin is most found in apricots.