Copper excess or issues

[Aaron Hartman]

I’ve heard it mentioned in other lectures that it is important to watch copper levels. You mentioned watching vitamin c and not dosing above 250mg if copper was elevated. I also know there is a specific ratio of copper to zinc (from a lecture from Dr. Gaby) but I have yet to hear a clear an concise explanation of the issues w/ copper. Could you explain the relationship with vitamin c as well as the appropriate dosing and ratio in relationship to zinc? or there other nuances with copper that we should be aware of?

Thanks
Aaron Hartman MD

[DrWoeller]

Dr. Hartman,
The ascorbic acid and copper issue is controversial. Susan Owens from http://www.lowoxalate.info feels that ascorbic acid can contribute to high oxalates and therefore makes suggestions to avoid ascorbic acid over 250mg daily. William Shaw, Ph.D from Great Plains feels that ascorbic acid is not likely an issue with regards to oxalate formation unless the levels are much higher, i.e. over 2000mg daily and in the presence of high copper. Overall, these are ball park figures and there is no one established set amount for every specific circumstance.

Therefore, most of the time we try to strike a balance because so many kids are low in ascorbic acid, but high in oxalates. The difficulty with copper assessment is a hair analysis is not that accurate so blood testing is necessary. Getting blood repeat blood tests on many special needs children is not easy. Therefore, the general recommendation of 250mg is applied in some circumstances when oxalates are higher. I have gone higher too, i.e. 400mg plus, but the 250mg is a general suggestion that seems to work well in many situations.

Dr. Woeller

P.S. very rarely do I give copper to a child on the spectrum. In these circumstances it would be based off of blood testing that showed low amounts. You will find most multivitamin and mineral supplements recommended for special needs kids do not include copper.

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