A new study suggests that not getting enough vitamin B12 during pregnancy could increase the risk of future health problems for both mother and baby.
Researchers from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Warwick have found that low B12 levels may be connected to unhealthy weight gain, poor blood fat levels, and a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, as well as in supplements or fortified foods.
But in today’s world, many people rely on ultra-processed foods, which are high in calories but often lack important nutrients like B12.
This shift in diet may be one reason why B12 deficiency is becoming more common, especially among pregnant women.
Vegetarians and vegans are at greater risk since B12 doesn’t naturally occur in plant-based foods.
While the dangers of eating too many calories are widely known, the researchers argue that the lack of vitamins in these diets doesn’t get enough attention.
To explore this further, the team studied fat tissue from 115 pregnant women with low B12 levels. They also looked at how fat cells behave in people with different body weights and ran lab experiments to see how fat cells responded to normal and low B12 levels.
They found that women with low B12 had higher body weight and more harmful fats in their blood.
They also had lower levels of “good” cholesterol, which helps protect against heart disease. Their fat tissue was storing more fat and breaking down less, and the parts of their cells that produce energy—the mitochondria—were not functioning properly.
In addition, these fat cells released more chemicals linked to inflammation, which can damage the body over time.
According to lead researcher Dr. Adaikala Antonysunil, these changes in fat tissue are known risk factors for serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. She emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy B12 levels before and during pregnancy to protect long-term health.
Professor Ponnusamy Saravanan from the University of Warwick added that this research highlights the need for more clinical studies to understand the impact of B12 deficiency on pregnant women and their children.
To stay healthy, the researchers recommend eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods, while cutting back on ultra-processed items.
Ensuring proper B12 intake may be a small change that makes a big difference for mothers and their babies.
If you care about health, please read studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about plant nutrients that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
Source: KSR.
