Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, is continuously excreted in the urine of healthy individuals, making deficiency relatively common when dietary intake is insufficient. However, vitamin B2 deficiency is always accompanied by deficiency of other vitamins.

A deficiency of riboflavin can be primary, caused by poor vitamin sources in one's daily diet, or secondary, which may result from conditions that affect absorption in the intestine, the body’s inability to use the vitamin, or increased excretion of the vitamin from the body.

As food processing depletes many naturally occurring nutrients, supplementation is important to insure proper intake of this vitamin.

Vitamin B2 is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is "burned" to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, help the body metabolize fats and protein. B complex vitamins are necessary for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly.*

The eight vitamins that make up the B complex are water soluble, meaning the body does not store excess amounts, with the exception of vitamin B12, which is stored in the liver. Rather, unused B vitamins are excreted through urine. This means you need a continuous supply of the B vitamins from the diet.