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Introducing
Riboflavin - The Energy Generator
Riboflavin which also known as Vitamin
B2 is important in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats
and proteins and converts them into an energy form for our
body to use. In the body, riboflavin is primarily found
as an integral component of the coenzymes, flavin adenine
dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). Coenzymes
derived from riboflavin are also called flavins. Enzymes
that use a flavin coenzyme are called flavoproteins.
Just like Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), it acts as a coenzyme in
the process. It is also significant in the maintenance of
the skin and mucous membranes, the cornea of the eye and
for nerve sheaths (read "Riboflavin and your eyes").
Riboflavin also acts as a coenzyme for oxidation-reduction
reactions throughout the body. As we know the oxidation
reactions may cause damage to our body cells, therefore,
reducing them can help us fight against the most deadly
disease - Cancer.
There are not many vitamin supplements
purely based on riboflavin, however Selenium Synergy (50
Caps) from Jarrow Formulations is a good choice for people
that wants to get some extra vitamin B2 along with some
other useful nutrients such as Selenium, Vitamin E and Garlic
(odor modified) to prevent or fight against the deadly diseases.
Click
here for Selenium Synergy (50 Caps) from Jarrow Formulations
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Why
Riboflavin?
The No. 1 reason is to gain energy. People
always seek for more energy, to study, work, exercise and
tons of other tasks. Eating more food does not necessarily
mean gaining more energy. Molecules of oxygen and food enter
a cell and are carried into the mitochondria, where they
are converted into energy. Two of the enzymes in the mitochondria
helps to accelerate the conversion process - flavin mono
nucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide. Both of the
two enzymes contain riboflavin. Without riboflavin and some
other B vitamins, our body fails to release energy from
protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism. Therefore,
the amount of riboflavin directly relates to the amount
of energy we have.
A quick note to people who takes protein supplements and
work out regularly, you may need extra riboflavin to reach
the high energy level for you rapid muscle growth. Serious
athletes who train hard are making their mitochondria work
super hard and super fast to provide enough energy. At the
same time, they may not be taking in enough riboflavin from
their food to make the flavin enzymes they need - especially
if they are also watching their weight and avoiding meat
and dairy foods. Some athletes and body builders claim that
riboflavin supplements help them train harder and longer.
They also say riboflavin helps them bounce back faster from
training sessions and cuts the time they have to spend resting.
As we have mentioned in the introduction, riboflavin does
a nice job in regulate cell growth and reproduction. By
reducing the unnecessary oxidation reactions in the body,
in combination with hydrogen molecules, riboflavin may also
help you make healthy red blood cells.
Just like Vitamin A, riboflavin is also provide your body
the "double barrelled protection". It helps your
immune system by keeping the mucous membranes that line
your respiratory and digestive systems in good shape. If
invading germs still sneak in, riboflavin may also help
you to make antibodies for fighting them off. It may as
well preserves integrity of your nervous system, eye, skin,
nail and hair. It might even help your memory - older people
with high levels of riboflavin do better on memory tests.
Riboflavin is also an important member in it's family -
The B Vitamins. Both niacin and pyridoxine need riboflavin
to function right. Riboflavin activates Pyridoxine and is
also essential for conversion of tryptophan to niacin. This
means if you are deficient in riboflavin, you might have
deficiency symptoms for one of the other vitamins.
Click
here for Selenium Synergy (50 Caps) from Jarrow Formulations
( Combination of Vitamin B2, Selenium,
Vitamin E and Garlic (odor modified))
Click
here to get Twinlab's B-2 Caps 100mg
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What's
the Recommended Dietary Allowance for Riboflavin
The RDA for riboflavin, revised in 1998,
was based on the prevention of deficiency. Clinical signs
of deficiency in humans appear at intakes of less than 0.5-0.6
milligrams (mg)/day, and excess urinary excretion of riboflavin
is seen at intake levels of approximately 1 mg/day.
Daily recommendations for dietary vitamin B2 are listed
below.
Children and Youth:
Infants 0-6 months: 0.3 mg/day
Infants 7-12 months: 0.4 mg/day
Children 1-3 years: 0.5 mg/day
Children 4-8 years: 0.6 mg/day
Children 9-13 years: 0.9 mg/day
Adolescents 14-18 years: 1.3 mg/day (female) 1.0 mg/day
(male)
Adults:
Adults 19 years and older: 1.3 mg/day (female) 1.1 mg/day
(male)
Pregnancy all ages: 1.4 mg/day
Breastfeeding all ages: 1.6 mg/day
Click
here to get information on some of best Riboflavin supplements.
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