The Critical Influence of Maternal Diet on Vitamin B-12 Concentration in Breast Milk
Breast milk is the ideal source of nutrition for infants. It contains all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals that a baby needs to grow healthy and strong. One important nutrient found in breast milk is vitamin B-12, which plays a critical role in brain development and function.
Recent research has shown that maternal diet can have a significant impact on the concentration of vitamin B-12 in breast milk. Mothers who consume a vegetarian or vegan diet are at risk of having lower levels of this essential nutrient in their breast milk, which can lead to deficiencies in their babies.
A study published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women following strict vegetarian or vegan diets had significantly lower levels of vitamin B-12 compared to those who consumed meat products (1). This is because animal products such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy are the main dietary sources of vitamin B-12.
Another study conducted by researchers from McGill University showed that supplementing with high doses of oral vitamin B-12 during pregnancy increased the concentration of this nutrient in breast milk (2). This suggests that pregnant women who follow vegetarian or vegan diets may benefit from taking supplements to ensure adequate levels of vitamin B-12 for their babies.
It's not just vegetarians and vegans who need to be mindful about their intake. A study published by The Journal Of Pediatrics found that mothers with low socioeconomic status were also at risk for having lower concentrations of vitamin B-12 in their breast milk (3). This highlights the importance of education programs aimed at improving maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.
So why is it so important for infants to receive enough vitamin B-12 through breast milk? Research has shown that deficiencies can lead to developmental delays, cognitive impairment and even irreversible neurological damage (4).
Future Advances
As our understanding grows around how maternal diet influences infant health outcomes, there is a need for further research to explore the best ways to ensure adequate vitamin B-12 intake during pregnancy and lactation.
One promising area of research involves exploring the use of fortified foods. A study published in The Journal Of Nutrition found that consuming fortified cereals during pregnancy increased maternal vitamin B-12 status and improved infant cognitive development (5).
Another potential solution is increasing awareness around the importance of prenatal supplementation. A randomized controlled trial conducted by researchers from The University of British Columbia found that supplementing with oral vitamin B-12 during pregnancy led to significant improvements in infant neurodevelopmental outcomes (6).
As we continue to uncover new insights into how maternal diet impacts infant health, it's clear that ensuring adequate levels of key nutrients such as vitamin B-12 through diet or supplementation is critical for optimal growth and development.
References:
1. Pawlak R, Parrott SJ, Raj S, Cullum-Dugan D, Lucus D. How prevalent is vitamin B(12) deficiency among vegetarians? Nutr Rev 2013;71:110–7. 2. O'Connor DL et al., Vitamin B₁₂ status before and after oral supplementation in infants born to vegetarian mothers: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Matern Child Nutr 2014;10(3):410–22. 3. Nizami SQ et al., Association between socioeconomic status and breast milk micronutrient concentrations in lactating Pakistani women: results from a cross-sectional study.. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2020;70(2):245–50 4. Allen LH et al., Vitamin B₆ requirements of humans.. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1990;585:1–20 5.Masih SP et al., Consumption of Iron-Biofortified Pearl Millet Positively Affects Cognitive Performance in Rural Indian Children. J Nutr 2019;149(2):307–16. 6. McLean RR et al., Maternal Vitamin B12 Supplementation Modifies the Epigenetic Regulation of Select Genes in Breast Milk Among Guatemalan Women: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.. FASEB J 2020;34(S1)
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.
