As discussed earlier, riboflavin (vitamin B2) is one of the most important B vitamins a person can supplement with. However, like any vitamin or mineral, not everybody needs to take it in excess. So the first question that probably popped up your mind is “Am I deficient in riboflavin?”
The answer to that question can be hard to detect, especially since riboflavin deficiency may not show signs for three or four months. And the fact of the matter is that it is extremely rare for people to become deficient in riboflavin. This B vitamin is extremely abundant in most foods. Typically, when a doctor has diagnosed a person with riboflavin deficiency, it is rarely connected directly to the lack of ingesting enough vitamin B2. Instead, these people are usually deficient in all of the B vitamins.
Some early signs of B vitamin deficiency can be found by looking at the lips, the skin, and the eyes. The lips will become cracked, with an almost frostbitten look to them. The skin will become rough and scaly. And your eyes will stay red and irritated most of the time.
You may be at risk for riboflavin deficiency if you fall into the following categories:
1. Senior citizens: Unfortunately, older men and women are more prone to many viruses due to poor nutrition and dehydration. And because they do not absorb food properly, their bodies can become deficient in riboflavin.
2. People who are lactose intolerant: Some of the most important sources of riboflavin can come from cheese, milk, and other dairy products. When you cannot digest these foods than you might be at risk of not getting enough riboflavin.
3. People that suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes: Depending on your symptoms, it is very typical for a diabetic to lose a lot of riboflavin through the urine.
4. Women that are pregnant or breast-feeding: Like all vitamins and minerals, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding pass much of their nutrition straight to the baby, which leave the woman open for having deficiencies.
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