Research

Micronutrients & recovery

Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency combined with high folate status during pregnancy programs offspring for increased adiposity and insulin resistance by age 6.

For pregnant women, ensuring adequate Vitamin B12 is as critical as folate. In populations with high vegetarianism or low B12 intake, high-dose folic acid supplementation without B12 correction may potentially increase the child's risk of metabolic issues like insulin resistance. Prioritize B12 status alongside folate.

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The offspring of mothers with a combination of high folate and low vitamin B12 concentrations were the most insulin resistant.
Chittaranjan S. Yajnik et al. · Diabetologia · 2007

Why this rating

Prospective cohort study with large sample size (n=700) and rigorous biochemical measurements, though observational design limits causal inference.

Source

Vitamin B12 and folate concentrations during pregnancy and insulin resistance in the offspring: the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study

Chittaranjan S. Yajnik et al. · Diabetologia · 2007

cohort · n=700Cited 770×
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