Natural Sources of Vitamin B6 During Pregnancy. You and your unborn child will both benefit from an extremely easy and healthy pregnancy if you consume a proper amount of B vitamins via a diet rich in essential nutrients. Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the body’s production of amino acids as well as the metabolism of macronutrients including carbs, proteins, and lipids.
This vitamin is required for over 100 vital bodily activities. Consuming an adequate amount of vitamin B6 is essential to the operation of almost every system and component of the body, from the formation of blood cells to the operation of the brain.
Niacin, commonly known as vitamin B3, may be produced by your body from the amino acid tryptophan with the help of vitamin B6. If you take in sufficient amounts of these vitamins, you may see a reduction in the severity of some of the pregnancy’s first signs and symptoms.
Why You Should Take Vitamin B While You’re Pregnant
Vitamin B6 during pregnancy is necessary for the normal operation of the brain and nervous system, this nutrient plays a significant part in the growth of your child. In particular, it is required for the normal generation of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, which are both very important.
- Some morning sickness may be cured with vitamin B6.
- It helps to protect neonates against a variety of health problems, such as eczema and low birth weight, among others.
- For the proper growth of its brain and neurological system, your infant will need to get a sufficient amount of vitamin B6 from you.
- It assists you in keeping appropriate levels of glucose in your blood.
When morning sickness and nausea are at their worst in the early stages of pregnancy, many women are given the recommendation to begin taking a B6 supplement. This is because B6 may greatly ease the problem.
Natural Sources of Vitamin B6 During Pregnancy
Photo credit: Live Science
Eggs
No matter how you choose to prepare them, two eggs are a good source of protein and other nutrients, and they also contain 10 percent of the daily value recommendation for vitamin B-6. Eggs are a nutrient-dense food that may be prepared in a variety of ways.
They are ideal for breakfast, but may also be used as a quick and simple option for lunch, brunch, or supper. Breakfast is its primary purpose. When you are at a loss for what to prepare for dinner the next time, give this recipe for frittata a go, or make an omelet packed with vegetables for some extra fiber.
Milk
A lack of vitamin B-6 may result in significant negative effects on one’s health. Lacking sufficient amounts might have a detrimental effect on your central nervous system. This is true, in particular, for young toddlers. Milk consumption should be encouraged on a daily basis for all age groups, including children and adults.
Milk from either a cow or a goat has five percent of the daily value recommendation for vitamin B-6 in only one cup. Milk with a fat content of 1 percent or less is already lower in fat than whole milk. In addition to this, milk is an excellent source of vitamin B-12 and calcium. If drinking a glass of milk straight from the glass isn’t your thing, you could always try pouring it over a bowl of fortified low-sugar cereal instead.
Liver from a chicken
This very healthy dish isn’t as well-known as it once was, but it’s still an excellent source of protein, folate, and vitamin A, in addition to vitamins B-6 and B-12. Your body is able to more effectively break down and utilize protein with the assistance of vitamin B-6. Chicken livers are affordable, simple to prepare, and have a great flavor.
You could try cooking chicken liver with green peppers and onions in a sauté. Salt and pepper, in very little amounts, are the only spices that are required. It is important to avoid cooking the livers for an excessive amount of time since this might cause them to become rubbery.
Avocado
A tasty fruit that is also high in nutritional value, avocados may be classified either as a berry (which they are) or as a vegetable (which they are not). This cuisine has a high concentration of vitamins B-6 and C, in addition to fiber and healthy fats. Make sure you let yours grow ripe before you slice into it. Avocados are wonderful when sliced and added to salads, but when it comes to guacamole, nothing can compare.
Salmon
One of the greatest quantities of vitamin B6 during pregnancy that can be found in food may be found in this fish which is good for your heart. The adrenal glands need B-6 in order to function properly. Your adrenal glands are responsible for the production of a number of essential hormones, such as cortisol, adrenalin, and aldosterone.
The adrenal glands secrete hormones that are responsible for regulating blood pressure and working to keep blood sugar under control. Salmon is an excellent low-fat source of protein and is also rich in a wide variety of other nutrients.
On the menus of many different restaurants, you may find salmon. When preparing salmon at home, aim for wild kinds wherever possible. These contain greater quantities of vitamin B-6 than salmon that have been farmed. Try your hand at preparing the dish using a variety of different spices and methods.
Salmon may be cooked in a variety of ways, including on the grill, in the oven, sautéed, and stir-fried. It is baked with low-sugar teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds, smashed garlic, and lime, and it results in a delectable teriyaki-style dish.
Beef
In terms of nutrition, meat, such as hamburgers and steak, is often given a poor reputation. Although beef may have a large level of fat, it is also an excellent source of protein and a variety of other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B-6.
If you choose beef that is grass-fed and lean, you may get the nutritional benefits of beef while cutting out a significant amount of the fat that comes along with it. Meat is a very flexible cuisine that may be eaten at any time of the year. It is possible to prepare a hearty beef barley soup or stew when the weather is chilly. When the weather is warmer, it’s the ideal time for barbecues.
Bananas
A banana that is of medium size is not only convenient to travel but also very tasty to consume. Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6 during pregnancy. The creation of serotonin and norepinephrine, the chemicals that assist with nerve activity and the transmission of messages inside your brain, is aided by vitamin B6 during pregnancy, which helps with the production of these neurotransmitters. If you have a want for something sweet, you may make a tasty frozen treat by peeling, slicing, and then freezing ripe bananas.
Sweet potato
Even though they have a naturally sweet flavor, sweet potatoes are not considered to be a “guilty pleasure.” The amount of vitamin B6 during pregnancy that is provided by one potato that is of medium size is equivalent to 15 percent of the daily requirement. Additionally, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of magnesium, vitamin A, and fiber.
Glycogen is a kind of stored energy that is held in your muscles and liver. Vitamin B6 during pregnancy is beneficial to your body because it helps manage glycogen. If you want to add some variety to your diet, try baking a sweet potato once or twice a week. Alternately, you may bake just a few at a time and then use the leftovers to make home fries or as the topping for shepherd’s pie.
The Symptoms of an Insufficient Supply of Vitamin B6 During Pregnancy
Insufficient consumption of vitamin B6 during pregnancy is the most common cause of vitamin B6 deficiency, although there are numerous other potential causes as well. The intake of large amounts of alcohol, meals that are rich in sugar, and a variety of processed foods are all contributing factors. Inadequate levels of vitamin B6 during pregnancy may also be caused by a number of diseases and conditions.
Even in healthy people, a slight B6 deficit is rather frequent, particularly with the increased requirements of pregnancy; nevertheless, severe B6 shortages are unusual. Depression and a variety of oral diseases, such as tongue inflammation, blisters, and ulcers, are the most fundamental and often seen signs of a B6 deficiency. A B6 deficiency may also lead to fatigue.
If a B6 shortage is allowed to progress to a severe state, anemia may occur as a consequence of the reduced formation of blood cells. Extreme forms of anemia may induce weariness, and in extreme circumstances, a person may develop neurological problems. Extreme cases of anemia can even cause death.
