If your partner is low on vitamin B12, he may not produce enough sperm, and if you are deficient, it may prevent you from carrying a baby to term.
What Does Vitamin B12 Do?
Vitamin B12 is required to ensure the normal function of nerve cells and the brain, as well as helping with the formation of blood and regulating DNA. DNA problems have been associated with infertility and miscarriage.
A study mentioned in the book, Could it Be Vitamin B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses by Sally Pacholok and Jeffrey Stuart, looked at 36 women who had recurrent miscarriage compared with 40 women who had given birth to full term babies and found that 31% of the women with recurrent miscarriage had abnormally low levels of vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid.
Having low levels of folic acid is dangerous for an unborn baby because it puts him or her at risk of spina bifida, a condition where the child is born with their spine exposed. Many children with spina bifida have to use a wheelchair and have other associated health problems.
Men with low levels of vitamin B12 produce fewer sperm and sperm with motility problems, reducing the chance of conception.
What Foods Contain Vitamin B12?
The majority of vitamin B12 is contained in animal and dairy products, so vitamin B12 deficiencies are more common in vegetarians and vegans, although there are a few vegan sources. If you are vegan and are having trouble getting pregnant, consider taking a regular vitamin B12 supplement in addition to your every day diet.
Here are some foods that contain the vitamin:
- Chicken meat
- Turkey meat
- Liver
- Different types of fish including salmon and trout
- Cheese, milk and eggs
Vegan sources include:
- Spirulina - a type of seaweed
- Breakfast cereals - these contain a fortified (synthetic) form of vitamin B12
- Vegan margarine
- Some fortified soy milks
- Some brands of vegetable stock
- Yeast extract
- Some veggie burger mixes
Causes and Treatment of B12 Deficiency
Occasionally, vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by an auto-immune disease where the immune system’s antibodies attack the lining of the stomach, causing it to lose vitamins. A blood test can determine whether there are antibodies to your stomach lining present.
If you have an auto-immune disease and this has caused your deficiency, you will normally be offered vitamin B12 injections once every three months for life.
If your deficiency is dietary, you will be offered a course of vitamin B12 tablets which you will be able to stop taking after your levels return to normal. If you are a vegan, it may be worth considering taking a supplement in addition to supplement your diet.
Women who were thought to be infertile have regained their fertility after B12 therapy.
If you would like more information, the book, Could it be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses, published by Linden Publishing, ISBN-13: 978-1884956461, is available from Amazon.
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