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Ariboflavinosis: Vit B2 deficiency
Introduction
What is ariboflavinosis?
Ariboflavinosis is caused by deficiency of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
Certain groups of people are at agreater risk of being defiicient in ribofalvin. They are individuals with Kidney disease who are being treated withy dialysis; individuals with abdsorption problems, women who are preganat with more than one featus, women breast feeding more than one infant, people with other vitamin deficiencies and protein energy malnutrition. In addition, chronic diases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes are known trigger Vitamin B12-deficiency, However, the following people are usually deficient in riboflavin and may need extra Vitamin B2 from supplemenst:

  • Women who are preganant or breast feeding
  • Anyone with inadeaute caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional rquirementa (i.e when you work out regually, is sick and not meeting the basic need)
  • Athletes
  • Those who drink alsochol in excess
  • People who have just undergone surgery
  • Those under long term excess stress
  • Impaired liver function, which prevents proper utilization of the vitamin.
Symptoms of Ariboflavinosis
True roboflavin deficieny is quite rare. When riboflavin deficiency symptons do occur, they are usually related to a shortage of all the Vitamin B's. Usually, though, ribifalvin deficiency shows up as problems with mucous mebranes, skin, eyes, and blood. An early clear sign is sores and carcks on the corner of the mouth. Scaly skin, reddened eyes, and aneamia are other defficiency signs.

When you have the following synptoons, please consider to take some extra Vitmain B2 supplement pills to enrich your ribiflavin level.
Symptoms of riboflavinosis are:
  • Sore lips/throat
  • Redness and swelling of the mouth and throat,
  • Cracking of the lips (cheilosis)
  • Inflamation and cracks on the corners of the mouth (angular stomatitis)
  • Tongue redness and inflammation (glossitis)
  • Itching and scaling of skin particularly affecting the scrotum or vulva and skin around nose, mouth, forehead, ears,scalp and lips
  • Formation of blood vessels on the cornea (clear part) of the eye
  • Blood disorders such as anemia
  • Eyes overly sensitive to light and easily tired
  • Trembling
  • Insomnia
Prevention and treatment
Treatment involves diet, high in Sources of Vitamin B2.
  • Normally, people may get required riboflavin from the following, source: Beef liver, dairy products, eggs, meat, wheat germ and Tuna fish,

  • The most nutrient dense soures of ribofalvin are liver, mushrooms, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, brocoli, asparagus and milk products.

  • Supplements can be used to increase the amount of B2 consumned, however should be only on prescription. Supplemenst should be prescribed or reccomened by a qualified helath professional.

Exposure to light (ultraviolet radiation) causes ribofalin to breakdown rapidly. To prevent this light-induced breakdown, paper and plastic cartons-not glass- are usd in packaging ribofalvin-rich foods, such as milk, milk products and cereals.


Riboflavin requirements
Life Stage Age Males (mg/day) Females (mg/day)
Infants 0-6 months 0.2 0.2
Infants 7-12 months 0.3 0.3
Children 1-3 years 0.5 0.5
Children 4-8 years 0.6 0.6
Children 9-13 years 0.9 0.9
Adolescents 14-18 years 1.2 1.0
Adults 19 years and older 1.2 1.1
Pregnancy all ages - 1.4
Breastfeeding all ages - 1.4



Riboflavin rich foods
Milk
© Biovision
Nuts
© Biovision
Spinach
© Biovision
Meat
© Biovision
Food Serving Riboflavin (mg)
Fortified cereal 1 cup 0.59 to 2.27
Milk (nonfat) 1 cup (8 ounces) 0.34
Cheddar cheese 1 ounce 0.11
Egg (cooked) 1 large 0.27
Almonds 1 ounce 0.23
Salmon (cooked) 3 ounces* 0.12
Halibut (broiled) 3 ounces 0.08
Chicken, light meat (roasted) 3 ounces 0.08
Chicken, dark meat (roasted) 3 ounces 0.16
Beef (cooked) 3 ounces 0.16
Broccoli (boiled) 1/2 cup chopped 0.10
Asparagus (boiled) 6 spears 0.13
Spinach (boiled) 1/2 cup 0.21
Bread, whole wheat 1 slice 0.06
Bread, white (enriched) 1 slice 0.08
*3 ounces of meat is a serving about the size of a deck of cards
Review Process
1.) Dr Caroline Mukuhi Nganga MBCHB November 2009
2.) Dr Alice Ojwang-Ndong March 2010
Information Source Links
  • Brust, J.C.M. (2007). Nutrition- and Alcohol-Related Neurologic Disorders. In: Goldman, L. and Ausiello, D. (eds.) Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier:chap 443.
  • Chenoweth, W.L. (2007). Vitamin B Complex Deficiency and Excess. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia Pa: Saunders Elsevier: chap 46.
  • Kane, A.B. and Kumar, V. (2005). Nutritional Deficiencies. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N, eds. Robbins and Coltran: Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier: chap 9.
Ariboflavinosis
Mucosa
The mucous membrane, or the thin layer which lines body cavities and passages.