Understanding the Role of Vitamin B12 in Fertility

Understanding the Role of Vitamin B12 in Fertility

 

Vitamins are important for the growth and development of a healthy body and its reproductive system. Vitamin B12 is one of the essential vitamins needed for developing red blood cells, repairing tissues, and maintaining the health and functions of nerves. Vitamine B12 is water soluble, like vitamin C, which is required for the development of health and metabolism. These are carried with the tissues as dissolved in water but not stored in your system, so they must be replenished with your regular diet timely. Vitamin B12 is also termed cobalamin, as it contains cobalt in its molecular structure.

Vitamin B12 is required to synthesize DNA, amino acids, and fatty acids in metabolism as it is involved in the metabolism of all the cells in the human body. Vitamin B12 is an important element in boosting the success rate of fertility. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can affect the fertility of both men and women.

People facing problems with getting pregnant or struggling to conceive know very well how it feels not to live with their dream of parenthood. It can be an arduous journey but can be overwhelming as well with the possibilities of treatment.

You can not control all the factors but can make improvements which can help you boost your baby-making chances- Simple and invasive- Proper diet.

Intake of Vitamin B12 products or its supplements helps in improving your health and brings back the chances of getting pregnant timely.

Lack of vitamin B12 can have a severe impact on the health of both men and women. Various issues like weakness, memory loss, infertility, anemia, and neurological or psychiatric problems are common with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B 12 and Fertility

Vitamin B12 is required in the reproduction process and its elements such as DNA synthesis, cell division, tissues, and repair with the formation of red blood cells. The deficiency of these vitamins makes you feel weak, tired, and inability to concentrate. On the other hand, it can also bring infertility and anemia. Its deficiency can negatively impact on ovulatory cycle and implantation issues chronically.

Vitamin B12 deficiency in men

As per the studies, it is indicated that approximately 7% of men face infertility. Around one in 10 men have low sperm count, while one in 100 have no sperms, a common cause of infertility. It has been shown in several studies that deficiency of Vitamin B12 has indicated low sperm and semen quality in men.

An adequate amount of B12 in the diet enhances sperm motility and lowers the chances of Sperm DNA damage. The factors responsible for it are increased functionality of reproductive organs, decreased homocysteine toxicity, and many others. The benefits of B12 in men are-

  • Increased sperm count
  • Improves sperm motility
  • Reduces DNA damage in sperm cells
  • Prevents premature ejaculation
  • Prevents the loss of libido
  • Increases sperm count
  • Improves sperm motility

The adequate intake for an adult is 2.4 milligrams of B12 vitamin in their diet daily. It assists in managing fertility issues and produces DNA and red blood cells in the body. If a man is facing issues in fertility, consumption of B12 is necessary.

Vitamin B12 deficiency in women

The deficiency of vitamin B12 in women makes it difficult for them to conceive. Even if they are pregnant with reduced B12 vitamins in the body, the chances of fetal loss are higher. An adequate intake of vitamins is essential for creating the right environment for getting pregnant. It plays a vital role in the reproductive health system of women while actively functioning in menstruation and ovulation, thyroid function, energy production, immune function, and egg quality and maturation.

The deficiency of vitamin B12 in women can interfere with the reproduction system, including-

  • Impaired development of the egg
  • Abnormal ovulation
  • Difficulty in implantation of the fertilized ovum in the uttering lining
  • Disruption in normal cell division

B12 is an essential element for methylation in the body. At the same time, the low methylation level will increase an amino acid called homocysteine. Thus, an increase in homocysteine level is a significant cause of miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy losses.

A diet rich in Vitamin B12

The right diet plan with the availability of B12 in your diet daily helps you meet your requirement and have a healthy reproductive system and sperm count. Vitamin B12 is in fortified foods like soy or soy milk, fish, poultry, eggs, and milk, and various other supplements also help achieve the requirements. Additionally, curd, eggs, Chicken, Fortified breakfast cereals, Salmon, clams, oysters & mussels, and Tuna are rich in Vitamin B12.

Other than these, if you are recommended for the consumption of supplements by your doctor to improve your deficiency of vitamin B12 are Methylcobalamin (Safest to consume) and Adenosylcobalamin. These are to be taken only after the doctor’s recommendations and help conceive babies and keep them safe in the womb.

B12 for fertility

The deficiency of Vitamin B12 affects the reproductive system of women and the sperm quality of men, which is a cause of infertility. It is crucial for you to have a proper intake of B12, and if you are thinking of getting pregnant, the quantity needs to be increased. The body stores 1000-2000 times of vitamin B12 if you eat it regularly. Thus, it is difficult to examine the deficiency of vitamin B12, and it takes several years to have its symptoms, such as tiredness, weakness, or fatigue.  The shortage of vitamin B12 affects between 3% and 43% of older adults. You should visit a doctor to examine for deficiency of vitamin B12 if you face any symptoms.

The requirements can be met with the consumption of vitamin B6 and folate. It is recommended that the everyday consumption of vitamin B12 for people above age 14 is 2.4 mg; if you are trying to get pregnant, it should increase to 2.6 mg. You need to have a proper intake of vitamin B12 so that the development of a healthy body can take place. It will prove fruitful for you in your pregnancy and enhance your fertility. Moreover, the intake of Vitamin B12 is effective during infertility treatment as it will help in enhancing the success of infertility treatment.

 

 

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