Most of the consumed riboflavin is released into its free form in the stomach.
Most of the consumed riboflavin is released into its free form in the stomach and is rapidly absorbed by the small intestine. In the intestinal mucosal cells (the inner lining of the bowel), it is converted to its active forms called flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). From the small intestine, these forms get transported via the blood to various tissues of the body to perform their functions.
The major functions of riboflavin in the body include:
- Metabolism of nutrients: The active form acts as coenzymes for catalyzing (facilitating) the function of many flavoproteins, a group of mitochondrial enzymes involved in oxidation-reduction reactions for energy production. The enzymes are key factors in the body’s major metabolic process namely glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain, and metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This process liberates energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) required for cellular functions.
- Antioxidant and apoptosis: The flavoproteins play a pivotal role in protecting the cell membrane from the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Glutathione reductase, a flavoenzyme, speeds up the reduction of glutathione disulfide to glutathione (the major antioxidant that quenches free radicals and makes them harmless). They are also involved in cellular apoptosis, which is programmed cell death. Apoptosis is required to get rid of unwanted cells in the body.
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) formation and homocysteine regulation: Riboflavin interrelates with other vitamins notably niacin, an essential nutrient mandatory to keep the skin, digestive, and nervous system healthy. Niacin requires FAD for its formation from the amino acid, tryptophan. It is also extremely important for the regulation of homocysteine (an amino acid derived from methionine) levels. High levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks, or other heart diseases.
Health benefits of Riboflavin
Riboflavin plays an important role in several body functions. The benefits of riboflavin include:
- It is required for proper cell growth and development.
- Increases the red blood cell production in the bone marrow.
- Keeps the body tissues healthy, especially skin, hair, nails, etc.
- It works closely with other vitamins and maintains proper cellular function.
- Helps in the prevention of migraine headaches and depression.
- Aids in vision and prevents cataract formation.
- Maintains the integrity of mucous membranes.
- Promotes heart health and may protect against cancers.
- Prevents skin disorders, such as acne, eczema, dermatitis.
- Boosts immune function by reinforcing the antibody reserves.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
References
National Institutes of Health. Riboflavin. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Riboflavin-HealthProfessional/
Medline Plus. Riboflavin. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002411.htm
Medline Plus. Riboflavin. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002411.htm
Complete List
Top What Does Riboflavin Do for the Body? Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Do Hair Growth Vitamins Work?
Vitamins or herbal supplements for hair growth are often used to promote healthy hair growth and regrowth. If there is hair loss or hair damage associated with a serious nutritional deficiency of certain vitamins or minerals, hair growth supplements can help with hair growth or regrowth.
Vitamins You Need as You Age
Your body needs more of certain vitamins and minerals as you hit your 40s and beyond. Find out which ones will benefit you -- and which won't.
19 Key Vitamins and Minerals
Minerals and vitamins are key nutrients your body needs to thrive. Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, niacin, and riboflavin are just a few of these nutrients. Some vitamins act as antioxidants. Minerals serve many vital roles.
What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency?
What is vitamin D deficiency? Learn the signs of vitamin D deficiency and what foods you can eat to help prevent vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with rickets, cancer, cardiovascular disease, severe asthma in children and cognitive impairment in older adults. Causes include not ingesting enough of the vitamin over time, having limited exposure to sunlight, having dark skin, and obesity. Symptoms include bone pain and muscle weakness. Treatment for vitamin D deficiency involves obtaining more vitamin D through supplements, diet, or exposure to sunlight.
Vitamin D Quiz
What happens to the body when there is a vitamin D deficiency? Take the Vitamin D Quiz to find out what you may be missing.
Vitamins & Exercise: Heart Attack Prevention Series
Vitamins and exercise can lower your risk for heart attack and heart disease. Folic acid, vitamins, and homocysteine levels are interconnected and affect your risk for heart disease or heart attack. For better heart health, avoid the following fried foods, hard margarine, commercial baked goods, most packaged and processed snack foods, high fat dairy, and processed meats such as bacon, sausage, and deli meats.
Vitamins and Calcium Supplements
Vitamins are organic substances that are essential for the proper growth and functioning of the body. Calcium is a mineral essential for healthy bones and is also important for muscle contraction, heart action, and normal blood clotting. Check out the center below for more medical references on vitamins and calcium supplements, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
Vitamins Quiz
Take the Vitamins & Supplements Quiz to learn just how many essential vitamins your body needs to function!