Vitamin B2 Deficiency
Vitamin B2 Deficiency is seen by many specialists as the most common nutrient deficiency in the USA, but it is not as noticeable as other types of vitamin deficiencies because their symptoms are not severe. This of course, doesn’t mean vitamin b2 deficiencies are not serious. There are a set of symptoms associated with this problem that can have an impact in our health.
To understand better a deficiency in vitamin B2, it is important to talk about what is the importance of this vitamin in our bodies.
Vitamin B2 is also known as Riboflavin, a nutrient needed for converting carbs, fat and protein into energy for the functioning of our body. Besides this function, B2 is involved in the health of our skin and eyes, production of antibodies, cell formation, use of oxygen on the skin nails and hair and is also used to treat and prevent cataracts. A Riboflavin deficiency will have an impact in these areas.
What Are The Vitamin B2 Deficiency Symptoms?
Among the symptoms of vitamin B2 Deficiency we’ll find cheilosis (cracks in the corner of the mouth), sensitivity/inflammation of mucous membranes, red eyes, sensitivity to light, eye fatigue, nervous tissue damage, red sore tongue, a type of dermatitis with oily scaling. In children, a B2 vitamin deficiency will lead to retarded growth. Without proper levels of B2 we will laso be more vulnerable to the appearance of cataracts.
Other symptoms that appear with less frequency include weight loss, hair loss, lethargy and digestive problems.
Preventing Vitamin B2 Deficiency
A deficiency of this kind can be avoided if we get a proper diet with the necessary amounts of B2. For this purpose we must include in our diets foods that are rich in riboflavin such as vegetables, yeast and liver. On the other hand we must avoid fad diets that have lots of restrictions and diets rich in junk food. People who are more at risk of having Riboflavin deficiencies include depressed patients, elderly people, and people with alcohol problems.