Translated from Latin, 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 a verbal one. For example, B2 - riboflavin, vitamin A - retinol, B12 - cyanocobalamin. 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.
Methods of getting 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. First, they are better absorbed by humans. Secondly, nature provides a combination of different groups of vitamins that enhance the effect of each other.
- Endogenous, or internal. Vitamins come from the synthesis of bacteria in the intestine. The weaknesses of this path are a small amount of production, possible failures due to digestive diseases.tract, as well as insufficient absorption of vitamins from the colon as a result of taking antibiotics.
Reasons for inadequate intake of vitamins from food
- Unsatisfactory product quality. After all, the habitat and ecology have changed, and as a result, crops do not receive all the necessary nutrients in full. Pollutants further deplete already modest reserves. 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 heat treatment of foods.
- Disrupted digestive functions do not allow the body to absorb the necessary substances.
- Insufficient or imbalanced vitamin intake.
- Seasonal factor: by autumn the body accumulates vitamins, and by spring their deficiency is detected. Vitamin intake should be regular. Please note that before you start taking a multivitamin, you should consult a specialist.
Riboflavin description
B2 vitamin, or growth vitamin, is necessary for the human body for the normal functioning of cells, the metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and 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 prevents cataracts. Preparations containing vitamin B2 are used in the treatment of skin diseases, poorly healing wounds, anemia, diabetes, eye diseases, intestinal pathologies, cirrhosis of the liver.
The main functions of vitamin B2
- Participation in the absorption of iron by the body;
- Participation in all metabolic processes, including ATP synthesis;
- Hemoglobin synthesis;
- Maintaining the normal functioning of the organs of vision;
- Maintain normal thyroid function;
- Maintain he althy skin, nails, hair.
What contains riboflavin
B2 vitamin is found in foods such as milk, cereals, greens, liver, kidneys, vegetables, yeast, almonds, mushrooms. It does not accumulate in the human body, so its daily reserves should be replenished. The average daily requirement for this vitamin averages 1.3 mg. In pregnant women, this rate increases to 1.6 mg. It must be remembered that light destroys vitamin B2 in food. This must be taken into account when preparing food and storing food. It is undesirable to boil pasteurized milk, as heat treatment can completely destroy the riboflavin contained in milk.
Why is there a lack of riboflavin in the body
The main causes of vitamin B2 deficiency in the body are as follows: unbalanced diet, lack of this vitamin in incoming food, improper storage or preparationfoods rich in riboflavin. Another reason may be malabsorption in the intestines, an increase in the need 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
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. Possible nervous disorders, weakness in the muscles, pain in the legs. Generally, vitamin B2 deficiency without complications is rare. More often it is combined with malnutrition and changes in biochemical parameters. An extremely negative lack of this vitamin affects the child's body. So, children with a deficiency of riboflavin lag behind their peers in development, their memory deteriorates and inattention and absent-mindedness appear. If vitamin B2 deficiency is suspected, a blood test is ordered.
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 combines 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 microelement will be more bioavailable. Riboflavin is incompatible with vitamins C and B1.
Necessary for pregnant women
Vitamins B1, B2 are required by pregnant women in much larger quantities,than ordinary people. The daily requirement 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, weakness of labor activity is prevented, the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems is stimulated, and appetite improves. With a deficiency of these elements, digestive disorders occur, weakness in the muscles, pain in the heart area appear, and there is a violation of the development and growth of the fetus. Vitamin B2 also prevents cracked nipples.
B vitamins
The whole complex of B vitamins ensures the he althy functioning of the nervous system and is responsible for energy metabolism. Also, the functioning of the immune system and the efficiency of cell growth largely depend on these elements. A modern person experiencing mental and emotional stress, prone to stress, chronic diseases, B vitamins are needed in significant quantities. Vitamins B1, B2, B6 are found in brewer's yeast. Pyridoxine is necessary for the body to assimilate amino acids, takes part in the metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates. Vitamins B2, B6, B12 can be obtained by eating beef liver. Cyanocobalamin is needed for normal hematopoiesis, ensures the normalization of fat metabolism in the liver, helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels and improve 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 substancesfirst, minor symptoms appear, which people usually do not pay attention to. However, later they lead to irreversible changes. Thus, the content of calcium, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium decreases in the body. This, in turn, is expressed by tooth decay, physical exhaustion, decreased appetite, and as a result, anorexia, visual impairment.
Vitamins B6, B2, B1, B12 are water soluble, so they need to be consumed daily with food. You can also buy riboflavin in ampoules at a pharmacy. But this should only be done if the vitamin deficiency has been observed for a long time, and only after consulting with your doctor. The complex action of B vitamins is much more effective than each element separately. An unbalanced diet most often leads to a lack of a number of vitamins, so they must also be taken in combination.
Important about vitamins
These substances are destroyed by heat treatment. Vitamin B2 is light sensitive and water soluble. It is impossible to get an excess of these trace elements from food. The excess is excreted by the body with excretion products. B vitamins must enter our body daily, as they do not have the ability to accumulate. These substances are destroyed by alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, tannins, refined sugar. They can also be excreted from the body when antibiotics are consumed. To avoid such risks, during the course of a particular treatment, the doctor may prescribe vitamin B2 in ampoules. During stressthe 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: milk and dairy products, yogurt, ice cream, poultry, eggs, fish, cheese, liver, yeast. Nuts, whole grain bread, cereals, mushrooms, green vegetables - broccoli, spinach, avocados can also enrich the body with this microelement. Half a teaspoon of unpeeled, unroasted pine nuts will suffice to get your daily allowance of riboflavin. If you include buckwheat, rice and hercules in your daily diet, then you can not worry about the lack of vitamin B2 in the body. Fruit lovers should know that apricots contain the most riboflavin.
