Correcting a marginal riboflavin deficiency improves hematologic status in young women in the United Kingdom (RIBOFEM)

Powers HJ

Published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Methodology

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RIBOFEM) of riboflavin supplementation for 8 weeks in marginally riboflavin-deficient young UK women, measuring erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient, haemoglobin and iron indices.

Key Findings

Riboflavin supplementation in young women with marginal riboflavin deficiency improved riboflavin status and produced significant increases in haemoglobin, with the greatest haematological gains in those most deficient at baseline.

Conclusions

Correcting marginal riboflavin deficiency improved iron and hematologic status in young women.

Limitations

Modest sample (n=123), short duration, young healthy female cohort only, and surrogate haematological endpoints rather than clinical anaemia outcomes.