Fatigue, mood swings and pregnancy risks; why women can’t afford to ignore vitamin B12

Many women brush off tiredness, brain fog or feeling “not quite themselves” as part of daily life. But sometimes, the real issue is lack of vitamins. While most women know about iron or folic acid, but vitamin B12 usually doesn’t make the list. And during pregnancy, the risks are even higher because both mother and baby rely on this vitamin.

According to a study in PubMed, Vitamin B12 helps keep your nerves healthy, supports your brain, and gives your body the energy it needs. If you’re pregnant, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or have trouble absorbing nutrients, you may be at greater risk of not getting enough of this vitamin.

Also Read: 8 vitamin B12-rich foods you should eat for your brain health

Here’s what research finds:

• Higher chance of gestational diabetes: Studies involving over 10,000 pregnant women show that low B12 can raise the risk of gestational diabetes by almost 50%.


• Risk of preterm birth and smaller babies: When mothers are low in B12, babies are more likely to arrive early or be born underweight.


• Mood and brain symptoms: Low B12 during pregnancy is linked to stress, brain fog and restless legs. While the connection to depression isn’t fully proven, B12 clearly plays a role in how we feel mentally.


• Long-term effects on children: Children born to mothers with low B12 may have poorer cognitive development later on.

One of the biggest problems is that vitamin B12 deficiency is often silent. It may not cause obvious symptoms until it’s been going on for a while. It’s also more common in women who eat little or no animal products or have digestive issues that affect absorption.

Making sure you get enough of this overlooked vitamin can be a simple, powerful step to support your mood, energy and future baby’s health, and may help prevent bigger problems down the line.

Also Read: Nutritionist explains how Vitamin D, Iron and B12 deficiency can spell trouble for your health and fitness

Here’s what women can do:

• Get your B 12 levels checked, especially if you are pregnant, vegan vegetarian, or often feel tired or foggy


• Eat more B12 rich foods like eggs, meat, fish, dairy, or foods, fortified with B12


• Consult your doctor about supplements, as pregnancy often increases the need


• Keep folic acid and B 12 in balance. Too much folic acid with two little B 12 may also cause problems, as per some studies

FAQs on health issues due to lack of vitamin B12 in women:

What are the common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in women?