Riboflavin, also called vitamin B-2, is one of several essential vitamins required as part of a balanced diet, as well as one of eight B-family vitamins. In your body, riboflavin takes on one of two chemical forms -- flavin adenine dinucleotide, also called FAD, and flavin mononucleotide, also called FMN. Riboflavin plays a key role in several physiological processes and plays a role in your health.
Role in Metabolism
Riboflavin's primary role in the body is supporting your metabolism, helping you access energy from the nutrients that make up your diet. Vitamin B-2 helps your body break down the three macronutrients -- protein, carbohydrate and fat. Riboflavin, in the form of FAD, helps your body break down fats and carbohydrates into fuel by contributing to the electron transport chain, a series of chemical reactions that give off usable energy for your cells.
Riboflavin also serves an antioxidant function due to its ability to activate antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by harmful chemicals called reactive oxygen species, or ROS. ROS prove highly reactive in your cells, interacting with your proteins, cell membranes and even your DNA, ultimately causing cellular damage. As an antioxidant, riboflavin helps neutralize ROS to prevent this damage, helping to preserve the health of your cells.
Role in Drug Processing
If you take medication, your body's ability to metabolize drugs properly plays an important role in your health -- some pharmaceuticals only work once metabolized by your system, and metabolism to clear drugs from your system is important to preventing drug overdoses. Riboflavin activates the protein cytochrome P450, an enzyme responsible for metabolizing several drugs, including several types of painkillers, antidepressants and anti-epileptic drugs. Failure to consume enough riboflavin might interfere with your body's ability to metabolize pharmaceuticals, potentially altering its response to treatment. Talk to your doctor to learn more about interactions between riboflavin and your medication.
Getting Enough Riboflavin
Men require 1.3 milligrams of riboflavin daily, while most women require 1.1 milligrams, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Pregnancy or breastfeeding increase a woman's riboflavin requirements to 1.4 and 1.6 milligrams each day, respectively, to meet the nutritional needs of the growing fetus or baby. Boost your riboflavin intake by incorporating vitamin-fortified cereals into your diet -- some brands contain up to 2.27 milligrams of the nutrient per serving, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Several meats, including chicken, duck, beef and salmon, also provide a source of riboflavin. Finally, consume riboflavin-rich vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach and asparagus to boost your overall vitamin B-2 intake.
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