Essential health benefits of vitamin B12 and D for babies

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During the early stages of brain development in infants, vitamin B12 is needed to produce healthy red blood cells and for optimal brain development. In today's post, we will be talking about the essential health benefits of vitamin B12 and D supplements for babies. First we will kickstart by diving into vitamin B12 and its health benefits. What is vitamin B12 deficiency? Vitamin B12 deficiency is when blood levels of this vitamin in the body are very low. In such cases, oral supplementation can be helpful.


Adults can treat many illnesses or diseases with vitamin B12 supplements. Vitamin B12 supplements are often taken to treat Alzheimer's disease, to prevent age-related eye disease, to slow aging, and to treat memory loss, preventing fractures, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, mental disorders, and various cancers such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer, for maintaining fertility, bleeding, preventing stroke, liver and kidney disease, canker sores, preventing blood clots, and respiratory tract infections, taken by smokers for prophylaxis that might be caused by poison or allergens in tobacco, etc.

It is important to note that it does not treat cancer and cannot be used as a cancer treatment. In fact, taking Vitamin B12 for an extended period of time is harmful to adult health, as evidence shows that taking this vitamin and folic acid regularly for two years or longer can increase the risk of cancer in adults.


What are the benefits of Vitamin B12 during and after pregnancy?

 Pregnant women require adequate amounts of vitamin B12 for the proper development of their baby's brain, nerves, blood cells, and many other elements of their baby's body. Vitamin B12 is also necessary for generating healthy red blood cells in the developing baby. When a baby does not receive enough vitamin B12, he or she becomes vitamin B12 deficient. And if left untreated, it can lead to delayed brain growth and, eventually, irreparable brain damage. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that the body requires for healthy function. Vitamin B12 is found in fish, meat, dairy products, and some plants. In comparison to animal products, plants have a lower availability of this vitamin. As a result, health professionals recommend that vegans and lactose intolerant vegetarians take Vitamin B12 supplements during pregnancy and lactation, as this vitamin can also be manufactured in the lab.

I know of a baby that was born perfectly healthy, with no signs of illness or deficit. The baby couldn't swallow, feed, or play three months after birth. Her breathing became more rapid as she lost her footing. Her fever rose as she was slow to respond to stimuli. We later saw indications of jaundice as well. To summarize, there was a weight loss. The baby was sent to the hospital right away. The diagnosis of cerebral palsy was verified after a battery of tests undertaken by the specialists. The infant weighed 8.5kg after a significant weight loss. As soon as the baby's symptoms were noticed, she was registered for physiotherapy sessions. The condition is similar to vitamin B12 deficiency and vitamin D deficiency.

But something wasn't right when I noticed the weight and compared it to a newborn with cerebral palsy who weighs 5.5kg or less. I suggested that the unwell baby be given vitamin B12 supplements and that she also be exposed to sunlight in the early morning and late evening on a daily basis. Within one month of following these guidelines, we saw significant improvements in the child's health.

When an infant is deficient in vitamins B12 and D, he or she will exhibit all of the signs associated with cerebral palsy.

What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in babies?

A vitamin B12 deficiency is characterized by vomiting, lethargy, hypotonia, developmental halts, and regression of motor skills between the ages of 2 and 12 months. These are just some of the vitamin B12 symptoms, which may also include weakness, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, pale or yellowish skin, unsteadiness in walking, numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, difficulty concentrating, behavioral changes, and nerve damage.

What are the causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency in a baby?

This deficiency is present in some kids from birth. In other circumstances, the expectant mother is responsible for this. Vitamin B12 is transferred through the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy, and is transferred through breast milk after birth. Infants whose mothers get enough vitamin B12 after birth or babies who consume infant formula will get enough vitamin B12. For this reason, an expectant mother is urged to eat nutritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals during her pregnancy. The brain and heart are the first elements of a baby's body to develop while still in the womb (foetus). Pregnant women should eat foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids as well as vitamin B complexes, especially B12. Lactating mothers should also take vitamin B12 supplements for breastfeeding mothers after giving birth. This will aid in the development of a healthy brain in the baby.

What is the cure for vitamin B12 deficiency?

 In older people with vitamin B12 deficiency, a daily B12 supplement or a B12-containing drug or medicine may be sufficient to cure the condition. And for babies and breastfeeding mothers, healthy food rich in vitamin B12 should be consumed e.g. meat, fish, poultry products. If you don't consume animal products, you do have options. As part of your vitamin B12 supplement program, you may wish to consider fortified cereals, vitamin B12 capsules, or a supplement injectable. A B12 tablet or multivitamin is frequently prescribed for older adults who are deficient in vitamin B12. Treatment is, for the most part, successful in curing the damages caused by this deficiency. On the other hand, any nerve injury caused by the deficiency  may be permanent if it was not treated early enough.

What are the essential health benefits of vitamin D in the body?

Vitamin D is a prohormone, or hormone precursor, rather than a vitamin, despite its well-known name. Unlike vitamin D, which the body can produce, vitamins are nutrients the body cannot make on its own. This is why I say, vitamin D is not a vitamin. In response to sun exposure, the human body creates this prohormone, vitamin D. To keep things simple in this article, we'll refer to it as vitamin D. Vitamin D intake can also be increased by consuming particular foods or taking supplements. The essential vitamin D provides a range of health benefits, including maintaining strong bones and teeth, as well as protecting against a variety of diseases and conditions, for example, the type 1 diabetes.

In this article, we'll talk about the effects of low vitamin D levels on the body, as well as ways to boost your vitamin D level.


1. For healthy babies

A recent study showed that low levels of vitamin D in babies can cause arterial wall stiffness, which leads to high blood pressure. According to a study released by (AAAAI), the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, It is more likely for those with allergies to develop allergic sensitization if they don't get enough vitamin D.


The egg is a good source of vitamin D. The AAAAI also states that babies who begin eating eggs after the age of 6 months are more likely to develop food allergies.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory capabilities, vitamin D may also improve the action of glucocorticoids. This could be valuable since it can also serve as a supportive treatment for asthma.

2. For Healthy bones

Aside from its direct effect on bone health, vitamin D manages calcium levels and maintains phosphorus balance. This is due to the fact that vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps the kidneys reclaim calcium that would normally be excreted.

If babies are deficient in vitamin D, they will suffer rickets, which can lead to severe bowlegged appearances, and if adults are deficient in vitamin D, they may experience osteomalacia, which softens bones and causes weakness. Over 50 million Americans either seek treatment for osteoporosis or face an increased chance of getting it. So it is true that a vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis as well.

3. Healthy pregnancy

  Doctors also link poor vitamin D status to gestational diabetes and bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. Deficiency in vitamin D may increase risk for preeclampsia and preterm birth among pregnant women. In a study published a few years ago, the researchers discovered that high levels of vitamin D during pregnancy increase the risk of food allergy in children during the first two years of life.

4. It reduces the risk of flu

Several studies have suggested that vitamin D has protective effects against flu viruses, according to research. Although, other studies have not shown that vitamin D affects flu risk or flu severity. This research might not be solid. For this reason, more research needs to be carried out.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?

Below are possible symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. All these were part of the symptoms I saw in the baby I talked about earlier:

- bone and back pain
- regular sickness or infection
- low mood
- hair loss
- fatigue
- muscle pain
-impaired wound healing

Several complications may arise from an insufficient amount of vitamin D that persists for too long. These include, but are not limited to the following:

- infections
- auto-immune problems
- certain cancers, especially breast, prostate, and colon
neurological diseases
- pregnancy complications
cardiovascular conditions

List of foods that serve as good sources of vitamin D

Getting enough sunlight is the best way to ensure that the body synthesizes adequate amounts of vitamin D. Foods that are rich in vitamin D include:

- mushrooms

- salmon, mackerel, and tuna are examples of fatty fish (also rich in Omega 3)

- cheese

- liver of beef

- milk with added vitamins

- yolks of eggs

- cereals and drinks with added vitamins

Dosage of vitamin D:

It only takes five to ten minutes for the majority of people to produce enough vitamin D from the sun in the summer months. However, vitamin D degrades quickly, meaning there could soon be a shortage, especially in the winter months.
A microgram of vitamin D equals 40 international units. Vitamin D consumption should be measured in micrograms (mcg) or international units (IU). For a healthy lifestyle, it is recommended that one consumes vitamin D daily.

Babies: 0–12 months: 400 IU (10 mcg).

Children 1–18 years: 600 IU (15 mcg).

Adults up to 70 years: 600 IU (15 mcg).

Adults that are over 70 years: 800 IU (20 mcg).

Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers: 600 IU (15 mcg).

The noon sunlight is not healthy for your skin. The early morning sunlight that is gentle on your skin is the type of sunlight you can expose your skin to. Please share with family and friends. Someone out there might need this useful pieces of health tips and info.