B12 Deficiency During Pregnancy Increases Risk for Insulin Resistance in Child

The importance of folic acid during pregnancy is well known. The adequacy of vitamin B12 during pregnancy is also quite important, as vitamin B12 is needed for nervous system health as well as the proper assembly of proteins that make up the physical body of the child. Compromised B12 status during pregnancy is now related to an increased risk for insulin resistance, and thus obesity, in one’s child.

The window of opportunity for good nutrition prior to and during pregnancy is off the utmost importance for maximizing human genetic potential and thus human ability. This not only applies to intelligence it applies to healthy metabolism, with many nutrients critical to both. Vitamin B12 is vital for many chemistry reactions, especially those involving nerves and general protein assembly. A lack of B12 compromises optimal development of the fetus. 

In the current study children were tested at 6 to 8 years of age as part of follow up wherein the vitamin B12 status of the mother during pregnancy had been previously tested. The data showed a 15 percent increased risk of insulin resistance in children born to mothers who were vitamin B12 deficient.

The best commonly-consumed food sources of B12 include fish high in omega 3 (salmon, tuna), lobster and crab, red meat, lamb, eggs, and some types of cheese (swiss, mozzarella, parmesan and feta).

Supplemental B12 should be in the methylcobalamin form, which is the exact type your body uses in metabolism. Cheap B12, cyanocobalamin, requires that you body spend energy to make it active as well as detoxify a cyanide molecule as it is processed. You can always tell a cheap multiple vitamin or B complex by its use of cyanocobalamin. Don’t compromise quality when it comes to the future health of your child or yourself—methylcobalamin is safe, effective and superior.