B12 for Women

Vitamin B12 is a co-factor for many enzymes. It is responsible for female reproductive health and pregnancy, healthy functioning of the nervous system, neurological synthesis, regulation and formation of red blood cells. The requirements increase during pregnancy, lactation, pre pregnancy, menopause…

Men and women both are at peak levels of B12 deficiency phase during childhood itself due to plant-based diets. From onset of adolescence until pregnancy, B12 has to be fulfilled since it’s a crucial phase. Women who are having hormonal imbalances or are on oral contraceptive pills during menstruation, B12 levels get compromised.

Maternal vitamin B-12 deficiency has been associated with the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes like neural tube defects, preterm delivery, and intrauterine growth retardation. Few studies have estimated that dietary and/or supplemental vitamin B-12 intakes during reproductive state would delay the conditions.

Throughout pregnancy, maternal plasma volume expands an average of 45% to meet the increased circulatory needs of maternal and fetal organs. This in turn can dilute serum vitamin B-12 concentrations among pregnant women and contribute to their lower vitamin B-12 concentrations. Also, many pregnant women in this phase turn anaemic which leads to frequent miscarriages or birth defects in the child.

During lactation, breast milk contains sufficient amounts of B12 due to its rich nutritional composition.

Most women need to get the recommended daily amount of 2.4 micrograms (mcg) for most adults, 2.6 mcg for pregnant women, and 2.8 mcg for women who are breastfeeding — in their diets through lean meats, fermented products and milk, low fat cheese, and prebiotics. Nutritional supplementation under guidance needs to be confirmed, since over toxicity is also not good.