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The title is:
The Porphyrin Plot: How Odd-Chain Fatty Acids, B12, and Your Morning Latte Might Be Conspiring Against Your Waistline
Or: Why your metabolism is more like a chemistry set than you thought
I thought this was interesting because it talks about how a low Vitamin B12 could cause issues that limit dairy processing and possibly shuttle it to fat. It also talks about odd-chain saturated fats, which are the problem here. Those are now thought to be good for us. But the combination of odd chain saturated fat and low B12 = potential weight gain.
I’m one of those folks who have low inflammatory markers while eating dairy. As in, really low. But I am part MTHFR, which is a genetics issue (potentially) causing low B12 (and usable iron). Unfortunately, I have no idea what my B12 status is. I’ve only had it tested once (or at least I only put it in my spreadsheet once), a long time ago. I have been taking methylated B12, but not that religiously.
So maybe dairy is “bad” for me if I have low B12?
The studies indicating some odd chain saturated fats (like C15:0) are good use blood tests, and the higher the value, the larger the benefit. But I’m wondering if that’s a type of surrogate marker? Maybe the people with higher C15:0 have higher B12 levels (or genetics that allow them to get to higher B12 levels), and the people with lower C15:0 have lower dairy input because it causes them to gain weight, when it could be lower B12 levels?
The body is so complex…
And to make it even more complex, this site says that people with COMT gene expression should not take methylated vitamins, while people with MTHFR should consider them, but I have BOTH COMT and MTHFR. Conflicting. I have been taking methylated B12, and I don’t seem to get the negative consequences they outline there. Ugh. Will have to get some blood tests soon.