Vitamin

Vitamin B2

Riboflavin

Evidence TierAWADA NOT PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

25–100 mg for general use, or 400 mg/day (migraine prophylaxis)

watchEffect Window

1–3 months for migraine prophylaxis. 12 weeks for homocysteine effect

check_circleCompliance

WADA NOT PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) supports energy metabolism and antioxidant enzyme function. It is used for migraine prevention at higher doses and to correct deficiency-related skin and mucosal symptoms.

Multiple trials support high-dose riboflavin for reducing migraine frequency and severity. Riboflavin correction resolves deficiency signs such as mouth sores, dermatitis, and anemia-like symptoms. It supports glutathione recycling and oxidative metabolism. Minority benefits include possible cataract risk reduction and improved exercise recovery biomarkers. Benefits are most evident in migraine sufferers and low intake states.

Riboflavin is the precursor to FAD and FMN coenzymes, essential for mitochondrial electron transport and ATP production. It also serves as a required cofactor for the MTHFR enzyme in the methylation cycle.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Reduces migraine frequency and severity at 400 mg/day

Secondary Outcomes

  • Lowers homocysteine in MTHFR C677T carriers
  • Supports mitochondrial energy production

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • None established

Side effects

  • Fluorescent yellow/green urine (harmless)

Interactions

  • No significant drug interactions known

Avoid if

  • No populations need to avoid riboflavin

Evidence

Study-level References

vitamin-b2-SRC-001Randomized controlled trial
Sourceopen_in_new

Schoenen J, et al. *Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial.* Neurology. 1998;50(2):466-470.

Population: Adults with migraine (2–8 attacks/month)

Dose protocol: Riboflavin 400 mg/day vs placebo for 3 months

Key findings: Riboflavin was superior to placebo in reducing attack frequency and headache days. 59% responder rate (>50% reduction) vs 15% for placebo.

Notes: Landmark trial establishing riboflavin as a migraine prophylactic.

Paper content

Riboflavin was superior to placebo in reducing attack frequency and headache days; 59% responder rate (>50% reduction) vs 15% for placebo.

vitamin-b2-SRC-002Systematic review
Sourceopen_in_new

Condò M, et al. *Riboflavin prophylaxis in pediatric and adolescent migraine.* J Headache Pain. 2009;10(5):361-365.

Population: Pediatric and adult migraine sufferers

Dose protocol: Riboflavin 200–400 mg/day

Key findings: Confirms efficacy of riboflavin for migraine prophylaxis across age groups. Supports 400 mg as standard dose.

Notes: Extends evidence to younger populations.

Paper content

Confirms efficacy of riboflavin for migraine prophylaxis across age groups; supports 400 mg as standard dose.

vitamin-b2-SRC-003Randomized controlled trial
Sourceopen_in_new

McNulty H, et al. *Riboflavin lowers homocysteine in individuals homozygous for the MTHFR 677C→T polymorphism.* Circulation. 2006;113(1):74-80.

Population: Healthy adults homozygous for MTHFR C677T

Dose protocol: Riboflavin 1.6 mg/day for 12 weeks

Key findings: Low-dose riboflavin significantly lowered plasma homocysteine in TT genotype individuals.

Notes: Demonstrates genotype-specific benefit. Relevant for personalized supplementation.

Paper content

Low-dose riboflavin significantly lowered plasma homocysteine in TT genotype individuals.

vitamin-b2-SRC-004Cross-sectional epidemiological analysis with molecular docking.
Sourceopen_in_new

Wu P, Long W, Xiao X, et al. Riboflavin intake and kidney health: population evidence and mechanistic insights from NHANES and molecular docking analyses. Renal Failure. 2026;48(1). doi:10.1080/0886022X.2025.2611520. PMID:41582436.

Population: U.S. adults from NHANES 2005 to 2018 survey cycles.

Dose protocol: Observational dietary riboflavin intake assessment across NHANES 2005 to 2018

Key findings: Each 1 mg/day increase in riboflavin intake was associated with 18.8% lower CKD risk. Highest intake quartile had 42.7% lower risk versus the lowest.

Notes: Cross-sectional epidemiological data. Cannot establish causation but suggests a renal protective association worth further study.

Paper content

This cross-sectional study used NHANES data spanning 2005 to 2018 to examine the relationship between dietary riboflavin intake and chronic kidney disease. Each 1 mg/day increment in riboflavin was associated with an 18.8% lower CKD risk, and participants in the highest intake quartile had a 42.7% lower risk compared to the lowest quartile. The study also performed molecular docking analyses suggesting riboflavin may interact with apoptosis and metabolic regulation pathways relevant to renal protection. While this is observational and cannot establish causation, it provides population-level evidence linking adequate riboflavin intake to kidney health.

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