Riboflavin: the “energizing” Vitamin B
Riboflavin is a very important Vitamin B2 which should be included in the diet of a pregnant woman. You need a slightly more amount of riboflavin when you are pregnant. The recommended amount for a non-pregnant woman is 1.1mg, 1.4mg for a pregnant woman and 1.6mg for a nursing woman.
Why do I need it?
Riboflavin is a very important Vitamin B2 which helps the body in producing energy. It is a water soluble vitamin. It also enhances vision, growth and healthy skin. It is very important for the baby as it helps in its muscle, bone and nerve development.
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Women who do not get enough of this vitamin are at a greater risk of preeclampsia. It is a very harmful condition when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and has protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. A baby born to the mother who has a deficiency of this important vitamin are at a risk of anemia, digestive problems, poor bone formation and suppressed immune system.
Sources of riboflavin
Some of the sources of Riboflavin or Vitamin B2 are:
- Organic meat such as beef liver and chicken liver.
- Milk
- Bread products
- Fortified cereals and nutrition bars
- Nonfat yoghurt
- Skinless duck
- Pork spareribs
- Boiled soybeans
- Boiled mushrooms
- Part-skimmed ricotta cheese
Riboflavin is destroyed if the food is exposed to air, so you need to be extra cautious with it.
Also, taking supplements is also a good option. Talk to your doctor about them. Most vitamin supplements provide the amount of riboflavin that is required.
Signs of deficiency
Following are the signs that show that you are deficient of Riboflavin:
- Anemia
- Dermatitis
- Sore and cracked lips and mouth
If you are a lactose-intolerant or a person with anorexia, you are in a bit of worry because you are at a higher risk of being deficient of this important vitamin. A healthy diet and some prenatal vitamins can remove the risk of the deficiency.
It is very important to maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy, one that includes all the nutrients that are required by both you and the baby. Having a healthy diet reduces the pregnancy and birth complications. If you are having a healthy diet, you are more likely to have a successful and healthy pregnancy. Also, following the instructions given by the doctor is very important.
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