Wednesday Dec 11, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study scheduled to be published in Vertebrate Reproductive Science & Technology suggests that supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids during gestation and lactation to a vitamin B12 deficiency/supplemented diet can improve pregnancy outcome and metabolic parameters.

Amrita Khaire and colleagues conducted the animal study and found vitamin D deficiency or supplementation during pregnancy reduced the litter size and body weight of offspring, which is undesirable.  But supplementation of long chain omega-3 fatty acids improved the condition.

According to the study report, maternal vitamin B12 deficiency results in an adverse pregnancy outcome and boosts the risk for developing diabetes and metabolic syndrome in mothers in later life.

Early work by the researchers shows that vitamin B12 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) or omega 3 fatty acids are interlinked in the one carbon cycle.  Because of this, the researchers believe that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids may improve conditions induced by vitamin B12 deficiency.

In the study, five groups of rats were assigned to use placebo, as controls, vitamin B12 deficient diet, vitamin B12 supplemented diet, vitamin 12 deficiency diet plus n-3 PUFA and vitamin B12 supplemented diet plus n-3 PUFA.

The dose of vitamin B12 in the supplemented diet was 0.50 μg/kg diet and omega 3 fatty acids was 1.68 g of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA);  5.64 g of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); 3.15 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)  per100 g fatty acids per kg diet. 

The researchers found vitamin B12 supplementation during pregnancy did not affect the weight gains of pregnant rats but reduced the litter size and body weight.   And supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids in the vitamin B12 supplemented diet ameliorated the condition induced by vitamin B12 supplementation.

Also, vitamin B12 deficiency/supplementation lowered the distribution of serum arachidonic acid and DHA. Omega 3 fatty acids supplementation to these vitamin B12 deficient/supplemented diets improved the fatty acid status. 

Further, the study shows vitamin B12 deficiency led to higher homocysteine and insulin levels while both vitamin B12 supplementation and omega 3 fatty acids supplementation normalized the condition.

The study concluded "maternal vitamin B12 status is critical in determining pregnancy outcome and metabolic variables in dams and supplementation with n-3 PUFA is beneficial." (David LIu)