riboflavin (vitamin B2)

introduction

riboflavin is a vitamin and is the main component of the cofactors FAD and FMN, and is therefore required by all flavoproteins
plays a key role in energy metabolism, and for the metabolism of fats, ketone bodies, carbohydrates, and proteins.
it is important in pyridoxine (vitamin B6) related metabolism and is required to convert vitamin A to retinoic acid
it is require to produce the active form of folic acid / folate and for the conversion of tryptophan to niacin / nicotinic acid / nicotinamide (vitamin B3)
it is the orange colored component of B group multivitamins and the cause of the unusual fluorescent-yellow color to the urine of persons taking them
dietary sources include yeast extract, liver, kidney, wheat bran, eggs, meat, milk
cereals are generally low in riboflavin, especially if milled (eg. white flour), hence these are often fortified
current RDAs for riboflavin for adult men and women are 1.3 mg/day and 1.1 mg/day, respectively
riboflavin deficiency is termed ariboflavinosis and usually only occurs with other vitamin deficiency states
its low solubility keeps it from being absorbed in dangerous amounts within the digestive tract