This article aims to clear any doubts and questions you may have about this subject and we will do our best to do so.
2. May Prevent Major Birth Defects
Adequate vitamin B12 levels are crucial to a healthy pregnancy. Studies show that a fetus’s brain and nervous system require sufficient B12 levels from the mother to develop properly. One study found that women with vitamin B12 levels lower than 250 mg/dL were three times more likely to give birth to a child with birth defects, compared to those with adequate levels Summary Appropriate vitamin B12 levels are key to a healthy pregnancy. They’re important for the prevention of brain and spinal cord birth defects.
How Much To Get?
How Much Vitamin B12 Do I Need?
“Around the age of 50, it becomes harder to absorb vitamin B12, so older adults should aim to eat more B12-rich foods or take a supplement if needed,” says Wong.
“The best food sources [of B12] are meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, and fortified cereals,” says Wong. B12 can be supplemented in four ways, says Taylor Graber, MD, physician and owner of ASAP IVs, a mobile IV hydration and wellness company:
Orally, through eating foods rich in vitamin B12 Taking a B12 supplement Injected into the muscle Through an IV drip
As vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal-based food products, vegetarians and vegans may not get enough of it in their diet and require supplements. Medical conditions may also require a person to seek out additional amounts of the vitamin.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms and causes
Between 1.5% and 15% of the general population is vitamin B12 deficient. This makes people with certain health conditions more susceptible to B12 deficiency. “Deficiencies of this glycoprotein, or a shortening of the small intestine where the B12 is absorbed, can lead to an inadequate amount of dietary vitamin B12.”.
People with Crohn’s Disease, or complications due to intestine shortening from surgeries are often at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, says Graber. That said, there can still be side effects of excess intake. These symptoms include headaches, anxiety, and nausea.
Vitamin supplements, such as B12, have previously been reported to interact with medicines and supplements, like colchicine and vitamin C supplements. Therefore, always consult your doctor before starting a new supplement or diet.
Contents
This section has information on: thiamin (vitamin B1)
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
niacin (vitamin B3)
pantothenic acid
vitamin B6
biotin (vitamin B7)
folate and folic acid
vitamin B.