If you suffer from migraines, there is some good news for you. This good news comes in the form of riboflavin, otherwise known as Vitamin B2. Taking regular doses of Vitamin B2 is believed to reduce migraine episodes as well as lessen their occurrence.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin is just one of the eight B complex vitamins that are responsible for breaking down fats and proteins. B complex vitamins also help with the digestive system by providing good muscle tone, and aid in the overall good health of the eyes, skin, hair, liver and nervous system. Vitamin B2 is a water-soluble vitamin and plays a vital role in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar for the body to burn and produce energy.
Lack of Vitamin B2
If we lack vitamin B2, we may experience headaches, vision problems, photophobia, tiredness, digestion problems and painful cracks in the mouth corners.
Sources of Vitamin B2
Riboflavin is not commonly found in many foods unlike the other seven B vitamins. Many people, especially the elderly, often find themselves having vitamin B2 deficiency because they cannot easily get riboflavin from their diet. Food sources that contain riboflavin include brewer’s yeast, almonds, wild rice, wheat germ, mushrooms, milk, yogurt, eggs, broccoli, brussel sprouts and spinach.
Flour and various breakfast cereals usually contain riboflavin, and while it can generally withstand heat, its soluble properties makes it easily disappear in water when cooking food. Many methods can be done to counteract this during cooking, like making gravy by keeping the water from sprouts.
In addition, vitamin B2 is easily destroyed by exposure to light, so it is best to keep food sources such as milk and vitamin B2 supplements in the dark. This is the reason many milk containers come in cartons.
Vitamin B2 Supplements
If you do not regularly eat a balanced diet, taking vitamin supplements is recommended. The thing to watch out for when buying multivitamins is the essential vitamins and minerals that it contains. Make sure that it has 100-300% of the recommended daily vitamin intake.
It is best to take riboflavin with a meal, as it is more effectively absorbed into your stomach when taken with food. To prevent an imbalance of B vitamins, it is advisable to also take another B vitamin along with B2.
Limitations
Some medications have been known to reduce riboflavin levels in the body, and riboflavin in turn can affect the way some medicines work. Before taking vitamin B2 supplements, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor, especially if you are also taking any of the following:
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Anti-malaria drugs
- Chlorpromazine or other antipsychotics
- Birth control pills
- Doxorubicin
- Methotrexate
- Phenytoin
- Probenecid
- Selegiline
- ‘Sulfa’ medications
- Thiazide diuretics
Side Effects
While riboflavin does not seem to cause any serious side effects, you may experience itching, numbness, burning or prickling sensations and light sensitivity when you take high doses.
For more help on the prevention, treatment and remedies for migraines please see the Complete Guide To Migraine Headaches.
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