The Identity of Flavin with the Cataract-Preventive Factor
April 1937
in “
The journal of nutrition/The Journal of nutrition
”
Studysummary This study found that supplementing young rats' diet with lactoflavin prevented cataract development, while a diet lacking all B vitamins, except flavin, led to cataracts and alopecia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
Young rats on a diet deficient in all B vitamins but supplemented with rice polish extract developed cataracts and alopecia, while those also given lactoflavin did not develop cataracts, indicating flavin's role in cataract prevention. Growth improved with higher flavin doses, and no dermatitis was observed in any group, suggesting the rice polish extract contained other B vitamins except flavin. Rats on a diet deficient in all B vitamins but supplemented with crystalline vitamin B developed dermatitis, which flavin did not prevent, distinguishing flavin deficiency from other B vitamin deficiencies.
