According to the 2021 China Cardiovascular Health and Disease Report, the number of deaths due to hypertension-related cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in mainland China is as high as 4.2 million every year, and the number of new cerebral infarctions in 2019 reached 3.93 million. For this reason, the medical community often refers to hypertension as the "invisible killer".
In addition to antihypertensive drugs, vitamin B2, which is often mentioned in life, has been found to be expected to become the "nemesis" of high blood pressure.
1. Studies have found that vitamin B2 is the "nemesis" of hypertension
Once hypertension occurs, the pressure of blood flow on the large, medium and small arterial walls of the whole body will rise, which will lead to damage to the arterial walls in the long run, causing arterial vascular hyperplasia, atherosclerosis, stenosis or dilation, etc., and may face serious complications such as acute cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, and even threaten the life of patients.
A number of studies have shown that long-term use of antihypertensive drugs in hypertensive patients can significantly improve the rate of blood pressure compliance and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. It can be seen that long-term adherence to the use of antihypertensive drugs is effective and safe for patients with hypertension.
However, a previous study by Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University found that increasing the intake of foods containing vitamin B2 (riboflavin) can also help lower blood pressure.
This prospective study leverages data from more than 12,000 participants in the China Nutrition and Health Survey (CHNS) cohort study.
Based on the status of new-onset hypertension during the follow-up period, combined with risk factors such as age and gender, the research team found that subjects who consumed more vitamin B2 had a 26% lower risk of new-onset hypertension compared with the group with the lowest intake.
Taken together, this study is the first to provide evidence through a prospective cohort study that vitamin B2 has a protective effect against hypertension. This finding provides a useful reference for the development of healthy dietary guidelines, highlighting the potential to reduce the risk of new-onset hypertension by increasing the intake of foods containing vitamin B2.
So, for people with high blood pressure, do you need to take extra vitamin B2 supplementation? In fact, whether or not to supplement vitamin B2 should consider the individual's health status, eating habits, and other potential risk factors. It is advisable to consult with a physician prior to any supplementation program to ensure that the specific health needs of the individual are met and potential side effects or interactions are avoided.
Overall, a healthy diet and moderate vitamin B2 supplementation may help maintain cardiovascular health, but individual differences and professional advice are factors to consider when deciding to supplement.
2. Appropriate vitamin B2 supplementation, or help improve sexual life
In addition to the positive effects on cardiovascular health, proper vitamin B2 supplementation may even help improve sex life.
Vitamin B2 deficiency can lead to vaginal problems and skin abnormalities that can affect sexual health, including loss of libido and painful intercourse. Therefore, maintaining adequate vitamin B2 levels is essential for female reproductive system and sexual health, and it is advisable to consult a doctor promptly if symptoms occur.
In addition, vitamin B2 can also treat the following 2 diseases:
1. Oral-reproductive syndrome
Including keratitis, cheilitis, seborrheic dermatitis, etc., when the body has oral-reproductive syndrome, skin redness, swelling, ulcers, etc., the use of vitamin B2 can help treat metabolic disorders, improve the body's biological oxidation, and promote the curative effect.
2. Indulgence
Such as mouth ulcers, stomach ulcers, intestinal ulcers, etc., when the human skin and mucosal cells cannot grow and renew in time, it will lead to the appearance of ulcers, and vitamin B2 can make ulcers heal faster by promoting cell metabolism and renewal.
3. Correct vitamin B2 supplementation, keeping these 3 points in mind
As an essential element for the proper functioning of the body, adequate intake of vitamin B2 is essential for good health. But how can we tell if we are deficient in vitamin B2, and how can we maintain a scientific and reasonable intake in our daily supplements?
Vitamin B2 deficiency may leave traces of a range of symptoms on the body. Common ones include skin abnormalities such as scaly, rough, and abnormal hair loss, and in the case of sexual activity, problems such as decreased libido and painful intercourse.
When you notice these symptoms, it may be that your body is sending you a signal for help from a vitamin B2 deficiency.
In addition, when supplementing daily, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Priority food supplements
Vitamin B2 is mainly found in milk and its products, organ meats, egg yolks, a variety of fish, vegetables (e.g. spinach, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, eggplant, celery, tomatoes) and fruits (e.g. oranges and citrus).
In general, consuming these foods in a normal diet can meet the body's vitamin B2 needs. However, due to the limited amount of vitamin B2 in food and the influence of factors such as cooking and preservation, some people may be at risk of deficiency, especially vegetarians or those who do not consume enough animal foods. In such cases, additional consideration of vitamin B2 supplementation may be required.
- 5 types of people value supplementation
Of particular concern for vitamin B2 includes children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, people who are vegetarians without meat, and people who eat particularly carefully because they may have higher vitamin B2 needs and are prone to deficiency.
- Supplement in moderation
Although vitamin B2 is water-soluble, even if a little more is ingested, it will be excreted from the body and will not accumulate in the body and cause poisoning. However, it is still necessary to pay attention to the principle of appropriate amount when supplementing, and not to overdo it.
In daily life, we can remember a simple four-character principle: "1112": that is, eat 1 serving of whole grains, 1 egg, drink 1 bag of milk a day, plus eat 2 taels of lean meat a day. Supplementation at this amount usually does not lead to B vitamin deficiency.
All in all, the recommended intake of vitamin B2 varies according to age, gender and specific physiological status, in order to ensure the balance of the body, it is recommended to consult the advice of a doctor or professional dietitian before supplementing, so that a reasonable supplement plan can be more in line with individual needs.
Resources:
[1] "Why can't you stop taking medicine for high blood pressure at will?You will understand after reading these doubts".Xiangya Hospital, Central South University.2023-09-28
[2] "Supplementing more of this vitamin may be able to stay away from high blood pressure!12,000 people in China data show that higher vitamin B2 intake is associated with a 26% reduction in the risk of hypertension".
[3] "A few dollars a bottle of vitamin B2 can help you quickly solve mouth sores and chapped lips!".
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