Description
Vitamin
B*2: Important for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous
system
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• Helps with the formation of blood
• Maintains healthy nerve cells and red blood cells
• Involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body
• Improves low blood pressure
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What
is Vitamin B*2?
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Vitamin B**2 is a vitamin, which is important for the normal
functioning of the brain and nervous system and for the formation
of blood. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell
of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but
also fatty acid synthesis and energy production.
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Vitamin B*2 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is commonly
found in a variety of foods such as fish, shellfish, meat, and
dairy products. Vitamin B*2 is frequently used in combination with
other B vitamins in a vitamin B complex formulation. It helps
maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells and is also needed
to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B*2 is
bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach
releases B*2 from protein during digestion.
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The human body stores several years\' worth of vitamin B*2, so
nutritional deficiency of this vitamin is extremely rare. Elderly
are the most at risk. However, deficiency can result from being
unable to use vitamin B*2. Inability to absorb vitamin B*2 from the
intestinal tract can be caused by a disease known as pernicious
anemia. Additionally, strict vegetarians or vegans who are not
taking in proper amounts of B*2 are also prone to a deficiency
state.
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Historically, vitamin B**2 was discovered from its relationship to
the disease pernicious anemia, which was eventually discovered to
result from an effective lack of this vitamin due to problems with
the mechanisms in the body which normally absorb it. Many other
more subtle kinds of vitamin B*2 deficiency, and biochemical
effects from them, have since been elucidated.
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What
is Folic Acid?
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Folic acid or Vitamin B*9 is an essential nutrient that helps the
body convert food into useable energy. Folic acid also strengthens
your cells, promotes cardiovascular health, alleviates feelings of
depression and enhances metabolism.
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How
does Vitamin B*2 work?
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Vitamin B**2 is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell
of the body, especially affecting the DNA synthesis and regulation
but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Studies have
shown that a deficiency of vitamin B*2 can lead to abnormal
neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. These symptoms may include:
ataxia (shaky movements and unsteady gait), muscle weakness,
spasticity, incontinence, hypotension (low blood pressure), vision
problems, dementia, psychoses, and mood disturbances. Researchers
report that these symptoms may occur when vitamin B*2 levels are
just slightly lower than normal and are considerably above the
levels normally associated with anemia. Once released, B*2 combines
with a substance called intrinsic factor (IF) before it is absorbed
into the bloodstream.
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Who
needs to take Vitamin B*2 and what are deficiency
symptoms?
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People at risk for vitamin B*2 deficiency include strict
vegetarians, elderly people, and people with increased vitamin B*2
requirements associated with pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis, hemolytic
anemia, hemorrhage, malignancy, liver or kidney disease.
Administering vitamin B*2 orally, intramuscularly, or intranasally
is effective for preventing and treating dietary vitamin B*2
deficiency.
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Signs, symptoms, and health problems associated with vitamin B*2
deficiency include anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of
appetite, and weight loss. Deficiency also can lead to neurological
changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Additional symptoms of vitamin B*2 deficiency are difficulty in
maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory,
and soreness of the mouth or tongue.
