Ray Peat on Vitamin B2

January 29, 2026

Nutrition and Hormonal Influences on Cellular Respiration

"Various nutritional, hormonal, or toxic conditions disrupt respiration in different ways: For example, a vitamin E deficiency, an excess of estrogen, a toxic thyroid, and DNP (the formerly popular, carcinogenic reducing agent) cause oxygen to be consumed without producing the normal amount of usable energy. A deficiency in vitamin B2 or copper can prevent oxygen consumption. Cancer (contrary to a persistent mainstream belief) involves a defect in cellular respiration and causes a tendency toward hypoglycemia, which is often compensated by converting protein into sugar, leading to the final wasting condition (cachexia)."

Nutrition For Women

Vitamin B2 Deficiency and Its Effects on Lactic Acid

"A waste of sugar that leads to the formation of lactic acid can result from a vitamin B2 deficiency, and lactic acid appears to stimulate new blood vessel formation."

Nutrition For Women

Importance of Nutrients for Mitochondrial Function and Aging

"With age, the walls of blood vessels tend to harden due to calcium. At least in some tissues, it is known that calcification begins in degenerating mitochondria, and mitochondria tend to break down in aging tissue. Nutrients such as iodine, vitamin E, magnesium, and vitamin B2 are especially important to maintain the function of mitochondria, which produce most of our energy."

Nutrition For Women

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