Why Vitamin B Complex is Non-Negotiable for Expecting Moms

As an expectant mother, ensuring your baby's healthy development is important. An integral aspect of this is maintaining adequate levels of Vitamin B complex during pregnancy. This group of essential nutrients plays a vital role in both maternal health and fetal growth. In India, Vitamin B12 deficiency is alarmingly prevalent among pregnant women, with studies indicating that low maternal Vitamin B12 status is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes.

Such deficiencies can lead to complications like anemia, neural tube defects, and impaired cognitive development in infants. Here is a blog on what exactly Vitamin B complex is and how it will help you and your baby in the future.

What is Vitamin B complex?

Vitamin B complex is a group of eight essential B vitamins that help keep your body running smoothly. These vitamins are water-soluble, meaning your body doesn’t store them, so getting enough daily is essential, especially when pregnant.

The 8 B-Vitamins in B-Complex and Their Role During Pregnancy

B1 (Thiamine): The Energy Booster

As a mom-to-be, energy is everything! Thiamine helps convert food into energy, keeping you active and ensuring your baby’s brain and nervous system develop properly.

B2 (Riboflavin): The Growth Supporter

Pregnancy requires extra blood supply for your baby’s growth. Riboflavin helps with red blood cell production, ensuring your baby gets enough oxygen and nutrients.

B3 (Niacin): The Digestion Hero

Niacin helps regulate digestion, skin health, and brain function. It also prevents pregnancy-related high blood pressure (preeclampsia), keeping you and your baby safe.

B5 (Pantothenic Acid): The Organ Builder

Your baby’s organs start forming early in pregnancy. B5 supports proper development while keeping you stress-free by aiding hormone production.

B6 (Pyridoxine): The Nausea Reliever

Struggling with morning sickness? B6 is known to reduce nausea and vomiting while playing a crucial role in your baby’s brain development.

B7 (Biotin): The Beauty Vitamin

Pregnancy hormones can affect your skin and hair. B7 supports healthy hair, skin, and nails, keeping that pregnancy glow intact!

B9 (Folic Acid): The Protector Against Birth Defects

Folic acid is non-negotiable during pregnancy! It helps prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida and ensures proper development of the baby’s brain and spine.

B12 (Cobalamin): The Blood Builder

B12 works with folic acid to support red blood cell formation and ensure your baby’s brain and nervous system develop properly.

The Importance of Vitamin B12 During Pregnancy

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for the formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and neurological function. During pregnancy, the demand for Vitamin B12 increases as it supports the development of the baby's nervous system and brain. Adequate levels of this vitamin ensure proper cell growth and differentiation, influencing DNA synthesis and epigenetic regulation.

Consequences of Maternal Undernutrition and Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Maternal undernutrition, including Vitamin B12 deficiency, predisposes expectant mothers to a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as early pregnancy loss, congenital anomalies, poor fetal growth, and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Poor fetal growth, in turn, can lead to long-term health issues in offspring, including a heightened risk of non-communicable diseases.

Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Among Pregnant Women in India

Vitamin B12 deficiency is notably prevalent among pregnant women in India, with variations observed across different regions. Studies have reported deficiency rates ranging from 40% to 74%, with higher prevalence in the Western and Northern parts of India. This widespread deficiency is largely attributed to dietary habits, particularly the predominant vegetarian diets and limited intake of animal-sourced foods, which are primary sources of Vitamin B12.

Dietary Sources and Challenges

Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal-sourced foods such as eggs, fish, and meat. In India, the high prevalence of vegetarianism due to religious and cultural practices, coupled with economic constraints limiting access to non-vegetarian foods, contributes to widespread Vitamin B12 deficiency. Additionally, bacterial contamination of water and food can influence Vitamin B12 levels.

Current Public Health Policies and Supplementation

Despite the high prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency, current public health policies in India primarily focus on iron and folic acid supplementation to improve maternal and child health. Vitamin B12 supplementation is not yet a standard component of these initiatives. Given the significant role of Vitamin B12 in preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes, integrating its supplementation into public health strategies could be beneficial.

iThrive Essentials Active B-Complex

Your body works overtime to grow a tiny human, which takes a lot of energy! The B vitamins are critical in supporting your energy, metabolism, brain function, and overall well-being. But during pregnancy, your body needs even more of these essential nutrients.

That’s where iThrive Essentials Active B-Complex comes in! Carefully formulated with all the essential B vitamins in their most bioavailable forms, this powerful supplement ensures you and your baby get the best nutrition possible.

The Benefits of iThrive Essentials Active B-Complex for Pregnant Women

• Boosts Natural Energy: Our B-complex supports your body’s natural energy production, keeping you active and vibrant throughout the day.
• Supports Fetal Development: Essential for your baby’s brain, spinal cord, and nervous system development. Contains Folate (B9), which helps prevent neural tube defects.
• Improves Mood & Reduces Stress: Pregnancy can be an emotional rollercoaster. Vitamin B6 helps balance hormones and combat mood swings, while B12 supports brain function and mental clarity.
• Aids Digestion & Metabolism: Helps your body break down food and absorb essential nutrients, preventing pregnancy-related bloating and sluggish digestion.
• Enhances Skin, Hair & Nails: Biotin (B7) helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails while supporting postpartum recovery.
• Supports a Healthy Nervous System: Helps manage stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation and well-being during pregnancy.

Why Choose iThrive Essentials Active B-Complex?

• Complete & Bioavailable Formula: Includes all 8 essential B vitamins, plus Choline and Inositol for added brain, liver, and metabolic support.
• Safe for Pregnancy: Made with high-quality, bioavailable ingredients that are gentle on your stomach and easy to absorb.
• Trusted by Health Experts: Recommended by nutritionists and wellness professionals for its effectiveness.
• Non-GMO & Allergen-Free: Free from artificial additives, soy, gluten, and dairy because you and your baby deserve the best!
• Easy to Take: Just one capsule after each meal, up to three times daily, or as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Pregnancy, Energy, & Wellness—All in One Bottle!

Growing a baby is hard work, but feeling exhausted and run down isn’t a requirement. So, give your body the support it needs and ensure your baby’s healthy development with the power of Vitamin B Complex. Order iThrive Essentials Active B-Complex today and experience the difference!

References

1. Behere RV, Deshmukh AS, Otiv S, Gupte MD, and Yajnik CS (2021) Maternal Vitamin B12 Status During Pregnancy and Its Association With Outcomes of Pregnancy and Health of the Offspring: A Systematic Review and Implications for Policy in India. Front. Endocrinol. 12:619176. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.619176

2. Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Pregnancy: Symptoms and Management. www.medicoverhospitals.in/articles/vitamin-b12-deficiency-in-pregnant-women.