In the UK, hydroxocobalamin is often preferred for maintenance because it stays in the body longer
Unfortunately, his steroid use seems to have opened the door to some hate and people walking away from his content due to the choices he made
Recent B12-Rich Meal (SMALL EFFECT) High B12 foods and content: Beef liver (100g): 60-100 mcg (extreme!) Clams (100g): 80-100 mcg Beef steak (200g): 5-6 mcg Salmon (100g): 3-4 mcg Milk (1 cup): 1 mcg Eggs (1 large): 0.6 mcg Liver Special Case: Eating liver the day before the test can significantly increase B12 Avoid liver 3-7 days before testing Regular meat: Single steak: small effect (~10-20 pg/mL increase at most) Probably not clinically significant REAL-WORLD CLINICAL IMPACT Case Example 1: Borderline Result Patient A: Baseline B12: 210 pg/mL (borderline deficient) Ate a large steak 18 hours before the test Possible effect: The result might have been 190-200 pg/mL without the meal Clinical impact: Could change interpretation from borderline to clearly deficient. Conclusion: In borderline cases, recent meat consumption could mask deficiency Case Example 2: Clear Deficiency Patient B: Baseline B12: 120 pg/mL (clearly deficient) Ate steak 18 hours before the test Possible effect: Might increase to 135-145 pg/mL Clinical impact: NONE still clearly deficient Conclusion: When B12 is truly low, a single meal wont mask it Case Example 3: Clear Adequacy Patient C: Baseline B12: 550 pg/mL (clearly adequate) Ate steak 18 hours before the test Possible effect: Might increase to 580-600 pg/mL Clinical impact: NONE still clearly adequate Conclusion: When B12 is adequate, a meal doesnt change interpretation EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES Study 1: Acute B12 Loading Design: Gave healthy volunteers 10 mcg oral cyanocobalamin Measured serum B12 at baseline, 2h, 4h, 8h, 24h Results: 2 hours: No significant increase 4 hours: Minimal increase (~5-10%) 8 hours: Peak increase (~15-20%) 24 hours: Still elevated (~10-15% above baseline) Conclusion: Even a pharmacologic dose (10 mcg, much more than food) produces a modest, delayed increase Study 2: Meal Effect Study Design: Measured B12 before and after a standardized meal Meal contained ~3 mcg B12 (typical) Results: 1 hour post-meal: No change 4 hours post-meal: Small increase (mean 8%) 8 hours post-meal: Peak increase (mean 12%) Conclusion: A single meal produces a small, delayed effect CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS For Most Accurate B12 Testing: DO: Fast overnight (8-12 hours) if possible though not mandatory Morning testing (standardization) Stop B12 supplements 7 days before the test Stop multivitamins 2-3 days before the test Avoid liver and organ meats 3-7 days before the test Avoid energy drinks/fortified foods the day before the test Note any recent B12 injections (within 2 weeks) DONT: Take a B12 supplement on the day of the test Eat liver the day before the test Drink energy drinks before a test Take multivitamins the morning of the test LESS CRITICAL (Small Effect): Eating regular meat (steak, chicken, fish) the day before Drinking milk Eating eggs ANSWERING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTION If I test, eat meat, and immediately retest? Answer: Within 30 minutes to 2 hours: Virtually NO DIFFERENCE Within 4-8 hours: Small increase possible (5-15%) Within 12-24 hours: Modest increase possible (10-20%) But the effect depends on: Amount of B12 in meat Your baseline B12 status Your absorption capacity Individual metabolism BOTTOM LINE Summary Table: Effect of Meat on B12 Testing Practical Takeaway: For your specific question: If you test B12, immediately eat meat, and retest 30 minutes later, Results will be virtually identical
The studies showed a connection between body fat and NNMT levels
