You Must Know These 5 Benefits of Vitamin B12 for Women

How much do you know about the benefits of vitamin B12 for women? Broadly speaking, vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps maintain healthy nerves and produce red blood cells.

This vitamin also helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells in the body. It is one of the eight B vitamins, known as cobalamin.

There are many benefits of vitamin B12 that can be obtained by women, including the following:

Benefits of Vitamin B12 for Women

1. Helps Form Red Blood Cells

Read: Various Kinds of Vitamins and Their Benefits

Women are more prone to anemia than men. In addition, among women of childbearing age, adolescent girls, and pregnant women, those who are most at risk of developing anemia are women during menstruation and pregnant women.

The benefits of vitamin B12 for women are able to form red blood cells so as to prevent anemia.

During pregnancy, it is also important to receive an adequate intake of vitamin B12. Mothers-to-be who increase their B12 levels in early pregnancy are about eight times more likely to have babies who don't cry excessively.

2. Can Improve Mood

Read: Vitamin B12: Deficiency Symptoms and How to Overcome Them

Although there is still debate as to the extent of its effects, studies have shown a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and neuropsychiatric manifestations.

Vitamin B12 is needed for the development of serotonin, which is a chemical that controls mood.

This link prompted researchers to encourage vitamin B12 supplements as part of a treatment plan for those with depression.

3. Good for Breastfeeding Mothers

The benefits of vitamin B12 for women are felt for breastfeeding mothers, you know.

For mothers who are currently breastfeeding exclusively breast milk, it is very important to meet the nutritional needs of the body.

Infants born to 6 months of age should consume 0.4 mcg of vitamin B12 daily, and 0.5 mcg from 7-12 months.

Unfortunately, the amount is often less than breast milk.

Therefore, the mother must consume more vitamin B12 to give to the little one.

For mothers who are breastfeeding and follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, it's a good idea to consult with your pediatrician about appropriate vitamin B12 supplements.

4. Maintain Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails

Every woman wants healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Well, Moms can get it with an adequate intake of vitamin B12. The benefits of vitamin B12 for women can help the growth of hair, skin, and nails by providing oxygen to these tissues.

A person who is deficient in vitamin B12 is at risk for vitiligo, a condition in which the skin has discolored patches, slower hair growth, or skin hyperpigmentation.

In this case, adding vitamin B12 to your diet or taking supplements can improve your condition.

5. Prevents Birth Defects

Did you know that another benefit of vitamin B12 is that it is also important for pregnant women?

A study shows that the brain and nervous system of the fetus need sufficient levels of B12 from the mother to develop properly.

Vitamin B12 deficiency in the early stages of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, such as neural tube defects.

In fact, according to a study in the National Center for Biotechnology and Information, vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnant women can cause premature birth or miscarriage.

In addition to folic acid, of course, vitamin B12 supplements during pregnancy are also important!