From healthcentral.com
Recently published research shows getting enough vitamin B2—also called riboflavin—might help protect against psoriasis
Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is having a moment. The essential micronutrient found in everyday foods made headlines earlier this year when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioned its use, along with other additives, in processed foods.
“Many cereals and breads in the United States are fortified with riboflavin,” says Alison Ehrlich, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Chevy Chase, MD. While some may dispute its necessity, vitamin B2 plays a critical role in your body’s ability to function properly.
Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin found in foods you’re likely to have in your kitchen: milk, eggs, salmon, nuts, spinach, and fortified cereals. It helps convert food into energy, supports healthy skin, eyes, and nerves, and combats oxidative stress. And now, new research suggests it may be beneficial in preventing or managing psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects 125 million people worldwide.
Breaking Down The New Research
The study, published in Experimental Dermatology, points to vitamin B2 as a potential ally in calming inflammation and reducing flare-ups. Scientists at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, China, came to that conclusion after reviewing the diets of more than 13,000 adults with and without psoriasis. They noticed people who consumed more riboflavin were less likely to have the condition—especially when they looked at individuals over the age of 40.
Then they zoomed in. Using transcriptome analysis, which looks at gene expression, the researchers examined skin cells and observed that low riboflavin levels triggered inflammation. When the vitamin was reintroduced, the stress response lessened, and the inflammation calmed down. Skin cells with psoriasis appeared to absorb even more riboflavin, leading researchers to believe the body uses the B vitamin to heal PsO-damaged skin and protect against more damage.
What Dermatologists Want You To Know About Riboflavin Research
This isn’t the first time scientists have studied the effect of riboflavin on psoriasis. Way back in 1958, a study in Archives of Dermatology reported mixed results from some of the first trials: some patients experienced reduced inflammation and irritation after taking large doses of riboflavin, while others saw no improvement. But the findings encouraged scientists to keep looking into vitamin B2.
“This new research provides more clues into how riboflavin affects psoriasis—both at a population level and at the cellular level,” says Veena Vanchinathan, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in California’s Bay Area and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology.
What caught her attention: “The transcriptomic correlations with metabolic and inflammatory pathways of riboflavin are particularly interesting and worth further study,” she says. Transcriptomics looks at which genes are turned on or off in your cells to understand how they’re working or reacting.
Dr. Ehrlich, who also reviewed the study after it was published, agrees that the new findings are intriguing, but not game-changing. “It’s important to note the limitations,” she says. “This study doesn’t prove that riboflavin deficiency causes psoriasis. It could be that people with psoriasis simply eat less of the vitamin.” Additionally, the researchers didn’t look into the severity of the psoriasis—whether it was mild or widespread.
“We can say it’s an interesting finding,” says Dr. Ehrlich, “but it warrants further exploration in a well-designed, clinical trial.”
What This Means for Your Psoriasis
This study probably won’t change how you handle your next psoriasis flare—you’ll still want to rely on dermatologist-approved treatments like topical creams and light therapy. But it may add a new tool to your psoriasis management plan: your plate.
Physicians should discuss a diet high in antioxidants and low in processed food with all patients who have inflammatory skin diseases,” says Dr. Ehrlich. A healthy diet is already linked with better psoriasis outcomes, and these new findings suggest adding more vitamin B2-rich foods might help, too. (The recommended daily allowance is about 1.2 mg/day.)
Foods high in riboflavin include:
Cheese (0.1 mg/1 oz)
Chicken breast (0.1-0.2 mg/3 oz)
Cooked leafy greens, like spinach (0.4 mg/cup)
Dairy milk (0.4-0.5 mg/cup)
Eggs (0.2-0.3 mg/egg)
Fatty fish, like salmon (0.2-0.3/3 oz)
Fortified cereals and breads (0.6-1.3 mg/cup)
Lean beef and pork (0.2-0.4 mg/3 oz)
Nuts, like almonds (0.3 mg/1 oz)
Organ meats, like beef liver (2.8-3 mg/3 oz)
Yogurt (0.3-0.5 mg/cup)
“Well-balanced nutrition certainly plays a role in immune health and inflammation,” says Dr. Vanchinathan. “Sufficient riboflavin levels could potentially reduce the severity of your condition, but psoriasis is complex, and no single vitamin is a cure.” She also advises against taking supplements without talking to your doctor first.
Riboflavin supplements are generally considered safe, but popping a pill may be unnecessary for most people. “Vitamin B2 deficiency is considered extremely rare in the US,” says Dr. Ehrlich. So, if you’re already eating a variety of riboflavin-rich foods, a supplement probably won’t be beneficial.
The Bottom Line
Riboflavin may play a valuable role in calming inflammation and improving skin health for people with psoriasis, but more research is needed before doctors will recommend supplements. That said, eating more riboflavin-rich foods is a safe and healthy step. If this new study inspires you to order a spinach salad for lunch or reach for almonds at snack time, great. Filling your plate with nutrient-dense foods is a smart strategy for easing psoriasis symptoms and supporting your overall health.
https://www.healthcentral.com/news/psoriasis/vitamin-b2-riboflavin-and-psoriasis
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