Riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency (ariboflavinosis), also function, mechanism of action and clinical uses of Riboflavin

by sydshahid

Six Principles of Physical, mental and Spiritual Health (PMSH)

Dr Shahid has summarized his six principles of health in a very simple form. Simplicity sometimes may not be politically correct. Well... What is wrong if you get the message and decide to live until 100 - 125 years and longer; without ever having to see any health care provider (MD,DO, DC, NP, PA, DP, DD, OD, etc); during all your long and healthy life? Moreover, you will live a life that is full of vigor, enthusiasm, happiness and contentment for 100-125 years and even longer.

What else can anyone ask for? Does it sound too good to be true?

Well… IT IS "too good" and IT IS "true".

Remember! Health is what "YOU" make of it. It is "YOUR" responsibility. Not your health care provider's.

Follow these six principles of Dr Shahid’s Preventive Health. Also known as "Preventive Healthy Life Style (PHLS)", and see the result for yourself. You be the judge. The best part of it is, "it won’t cost you a penny". It is all free. And

"YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO SEE ANY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR AS LONG AS YOU LIVE."

As they say,

"One ounce of prevention is better than two pounds of cure."

So here are the six principles of holistic preventive healthy life style.

The basis of these six principles (holistic prevention) is already discussed in previous blogs. Let us discuss these principles in detail.

The first principle of preventive health is a balanced diet. It consists of three parts:

1. Proteins, Fat & Carbohydrates in right proportion.
2. Vitamins, Minerals, fibers (VMF)
3. Water and Oxygen

We have completed an elaborate detail of the essential nutrients of balanced diet (Proteins, Fats and Carbohydrates) in previous blogs.

We have also given a brief description of #2 Vitamins, Minerals, fibers (VMF)

Let us describe vitamins in little more detail.

Very few people know what vitamins are and what is their real function in human body.

A brief history of vitamins was given in last blog. let us start with vitamins one by one in detail.

Vitamins are classified as either water-soluble or fat soluble. In humans there are 13 vitamins: 4 fat-soluble (A, D, E and K) and 9 water-soluble (8 B vitamins and vitamin C).

A. Fat-soluble vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of lipids (fats). Because they are more likely to accumulate in the body, they are more likely to lead to hypervitaminosis than are water-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamin regulation is of of particular significance in cystic fibrosis. Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A ,D, E and K), have been discussed already.

Now we discuss the Water-soluble vitamins.

B. Water-soluble vitamins

Water-soluble vitamins dissolve easily in water, and in general, are readily excreted from the body, to the degree that urinary output is a strong predictor of vitamin consumption. Because they are not readily stored, consistent daily intake is important. Many types of water-soluble vitamins are synthesized by bacteria.

The B vitamins are eight water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. Historically, the B vitamins were once thought to be a single vitamin, referred to as vitamin B (much like how people refer to vitamin C or vitamin D). Later research showed that they are chemically distinct vitamins that often coexist in the same foods. Supplements containing all eight are generally referred to as a vitamin B complex. Individual B vitamin supplements are referred to by the specific name of each vitamin (e.g. B1, B2, B3 etc ).

We discussed the Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) in last blog, now we continue with Riboflavin, Vitamin B2 deficiency (ariboflavinosis).

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Riboflavin deficiency (ariboflavinosis)



Riboflavin is continuously excreted in the urine of healthy individuals, making deficiency relatively common when dietary intake is insufficient. However, riboflavin deficiency is always accompanied by deficiency of other vitamins. Riboflavin deficiency may be primary or secondary.
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A. Primary deficiency of riboflavin occurs when there are poor vitamin sources in one's daily diet.
B. Secondary deficiency of riboflavin may be the result of conditions that affect absorption in the intestine, the body not being able to use the vitamin, or an increase in the excretion of the vitamin from the body.

Signs and symptoms of riboflavin deficiency (ariboflavinosis)

1. Cracked and red lips, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, mouth ulcers, cracks at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis), and a sore throat.

2. Dry and scaling skin, fluid in the mucous membranes.

3. The eyes may become bloodshot, itchy, watery and sensitive to bright light.

4. Oral-ocular-genital syndrome

Riboflavin deficiency is classically associated with the oral-ocular-genital syndrome. Angular cheilitis, photophobia, and scrotal dermatitis are the classic remembered signs.

5. Other signs of deficiency include corneal opacity, lenticular cataracts, hemorrhagic adrenals, fatty degeneration of the kidney and liver, and inflammation of the mucus membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

Post-mortem studies in rhesus monkeys fed a riboflavin-deficient diet revealed that about one-third the normal amount of riboflavin was present in the liver, which is the main storage organ for riboflavin in mammals. These overt clinical signs of riboflavin deficiency are rarely seen among inhabitants of the developed countries.


About 28 million Americans exhibit a common ‘sub-clinical’ stage characterized by a change in biochemical indices (e.g. reduced plasma erythrocyte glutathione reductase levels).

Subclinical riboflavin deficiency occurs in:

1. Women taking oral contraceptives.

2. The elderly.

3. People with eating disorders.

4. Disease states such as HIV, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and chronic heart disease.

The fact that riboflavin deficiency does not immediately lead to gross clinical manifestations indicates that the systemic levels of this essential vitamin are tightly regulated.

5. Subclinical riboflavin deficiency in children. Although the effects of long-term sub-clinical riboflavin deficiency are unknown in children, this deficiency has been proven to result in reduced growth.

Riboflavin Deficiecy in animals

In animals, riboflavin deficiency results in lack of growth, failure to thrive, and eventual death. Experimental riboflavin deficiency in dogs results in growth failure, weakness, ataxia, and inability to stand. The animals collapse, become comatose, and die. During the deficiency state, dermatitis develops together with hair-loss.

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Function, Mechanism of Action and Clinical Uses of Riboflavin


Riboflavin has been used in several clinical and therapeutic situations.

1. For over 30 years, riboflavin supplements have been used as part of the phototherapy treatment of neonatal jaundice. The light used to irradiate the infants breaks down not only the toxin causing the jaundice, but the naturally occurring riboflavin within the infant's blood as well.

2. More recently there has been growing evidence that supplemental riboflavin may be a useful additive along with beta-blockers in the prevention of migraine headaches.

3. Development is underway to use riboflavin to improve the safety of transfused blood by reducing pathogens found in collected blood. Riboflavin attaches itself to the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) in cells, and when light is applied, the nucleic acids are broken, effectively killing those cells. The technology has been shown to be effective for inactivating pathogens in all three major blood components: (platelets, red blood cells, and plasma).

4. It has been shown to inactivate a broad spectrum of pathogens, including known and emerging viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

5. Recently riboflavin has been used in a new treatment to slow or stop the progression of the corneal disorder keratoconus. This is called corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL). In corneal crosslinking, riboflavin drops are applied to the patient’s corneal surface. Once the riboflavin has penetrated through the cornea, Ultraviolet A light therapy is applied. This induces collagen crosslinking, which increases the tensile strength of the cornea. The treatment has been shown in several studies to stabilize keratoconus.

Toxicity

Riboflavin is not toxic when taken orally, as its low solubility keeps it from being absorbed in dangerous amounts from the gut .

Although toxic doses can be administered by injection, any excess at nutritionally relevant doses is excreted in the urine, imparting a bright yellow color when in large quantities.

In human, there is no evidence for riboflavin toxicity produced by excessive intakes. Even when 400 mg/d of riboflavin was given orally to subjects in one study for three months to investigate the efficacy of riboflavin in the prevention of migraine headache, no short-term side effects were reported.


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we will continue next with vitamin B3 (Niacine)


For comment and questions please write to :

syedshahidmd@yahoo.com.au

P.S. I must thank all of those readers who send me comments and questions. I must tell them that their inspiring comments and questions are highly appreciated. Please continue to write, preferably via email.

Thanks

Sydshahid

Posted 4/10/2009 1:25:00 AM
About the Author



Syed Shahid MD
View profile

Perth,  WA

Interests: Dr Sydney Shahid has many interests. He ejoys reading scietific magazines. He likes to keep himself busy with latest medical researches. He has special interest in Alzheimer’s illness. he has strong evidence that this tragedy can be delayed (if not prevented) for as long as 25 - 30 years and even longer, if one follows Dr Shahid’d six principles of health faithfully. He likes to make friends with those who have similar interests as his. He has few friends and they all appreciate what he is doing for humanity. He believes in positive thinking. In his opinion one must pursue those interests which make one believe in oneself. He loves to play tennis, table tennis and cricket if he can find time. Travelling is his other interest. He has travelled all over the world. He enjoys different cultures and their varied way of life. Lately world politics has become his passion. He wishes to see peace in the world but he doesn’t think it is possible because of the greed in the mind of most of the industrialised nations who are exploiting third world countries. He is also interested in writing a book about his Six Principle of Health (EUREKA). He is already in the process of making it happen. He wants the whole world to know his secret of healthy long life.

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