A single nutrient deficiency can manifest itself in multiple ways due to the nutrient
interrelationships on a cellular level and the enzymes that require these nutrients. Just as a single nutrient deficiency can result in a variety of symptoms, a single nutrient deficiency can be caused by more than one factor. As an example, manifestations of scurvy can be caused by several factors other than a vitamin C deficiency (vitamin C deficiency scurvy).
Copper deficiency - Scurvy
Scurvy-like symptoms are among the earliest signs of a copper deficiency that will affect
the integrity of collagen and protein. A severe or chronic copper deficiency will eventually result
in capillary fragility, aneurysms, and osteoporosis. Even though the symptoms are very close to
those of a vitamin C deficiency, this type of scurvy will not respond to vitamin C or its co-factors
such as bioflavonoids, etc. Actually, high vitamin C intake could worsen a copper-deficient
scurvy condition since vitamin C is known to antagonize the mineral copper.
Copper excess - Scurvy
This brings us to the next scurvy condition associated with excess copper accumulation.
Just as vitamin C is known to antagonize the mineral copper, copper in turn antagonizes or
increases our need for vitamin C. Therefore, a person may be consuming adequate amounts of
vitamin C from the diet and yet be experiencing signs of vitamin C deficiency. This would not be
a classic scurvy condition since vitamin C is present in the diet, but could more appropriately be
called a copper excess scurvy. These individuals require vitamin C in larger quantities than
those with a low copper status.
Iron excess - Scurvy
The mineral iron is also antagonistic to copper. Excess iron intake or accumulation within
the tissues can therefore contribute to a scurvy-like condition. Since vitamin C enhances the
absorption of iron and antagonizes copper, vitamin C therapy is inappropriate.
Zinc excess - Scurvy
Zinc is antagonistic to copper on both the absorption and metabolic levels. Thus we can
see the potential problem with giving too much zinc to those with a poor copper status in relation
to zinc. Vitamin C therapy would be equally inappropriate.
Niacin excess - Scurvy
The vitamin niacin and the mineral copper are mutually antagonistic to each other as
copper deficiency can be induced by large intakes of niacin. Excess copper increases the
requirements for niacin and, as mentioned above, also for vitamin C. In people suffering from
pellagra, copper retention and absorption increases
It should also be noted that niacin is being promoted as having a cholesterol lowering
effect, which it does. However, due to its copper- lowering effect, niacin can also contribute to
hypercholesterolemia. A low copper status relative to zinc has been associated with a dis-
turbance in the HDL/LDL ratio. Therefore, the use of niacin for hypercholesterol should be
approached with caution if an individual's copper status has not been evaluated. This would be
true of any substance that antagonizes the mineral copper, including vitamin C.
Conclusion
This is a brief example of how a single condition can be caused by several different
factors. It also reveals the complexities of nutritional therapeutics and helps to explain the
various contradictions in the nutritional field.
It is not uncommon to find patients with classical signs of a nutrient deficiency such as
vitamin C. Yet vitamin C therapy may help some of those individuals, worsen others, and affect
still others not at all.
Several years ago I was lecturing at a convention with over 300 people present. I asked
questions regarding the therapeutic use of vitamin C. A large number of people raised their
hands after I asked if vitamin C therapy had helped those with bleeding gums and excessive
bruising. I then asked if anyone had noticed that the conditions did not improve or worsened
with extra vitamin C intake. About a dozen people then raised their hands. Granted, this small
group comprised only a small percentage of the audience, but it illustrates a very important
point: Even though indiscriminate supplementation may adversely affect only a very small
percentage of the general population, assessment of nutritional needs should be done prior to
treatment.
interrelationships on a cellular level and the enzymes that require these nutrients. Just as a single nutrient deficiency can result in a variety of symptoms, a single nutrient deficiency can be caused by more than one factor. As an example, manifestations of scurvy can be caused by several factors other than a vitamin C deficiency (vitamin C deficiency scurvy).
Copper deficiency - Scurvy
Scurvy-like symptoms are among the earliest signs of a copper deficiency that will affect
the integrity of collagen and protein. A severe or chronic copper deficiency will eventually result
in capillary fragility, aneurysms, and osteoporosis. Even though the symptoms are very close to
those of a vitamin C deficiency, this type of scurvy will not respond to vitamin C or its co-factors
such as bioflavonoids, etc. Actually, high vitamin C intake could worsen a copper-deficient
scurvy condition since vitamin C is known to antagonize the mineral copper.
Copper excess - Scurvy
This brings us to the next scurvy condition associated with excess copper accumulation.
Just as vitamin C is known to antagonize the mineral copper, copper in turn antagonizes or
increases our need for vitamin C. Therefore, a person may be consuming adequate amounts of
vitamin C from the diet and yet be experiencing signs of vitamin C deficiency. This would not be
a classic scurvy condition since vitamin C is present in the diet, but could more appropriately be
called a copper excess scurvy. These individuals require vitamin C in larger quantities than
those with a low copper status.
Iron excess - Scurvy
The mineral iron is also antagonistic to copper. Excess iron intake or accumulation within
the tissues can therefore contribute to a scurvy-like condition. Since vitamin C enhances the
absorption of iron and antagonizes copper, vitamin C therapy is inappropriate.
Zinc excess - Scurvy
Zinc is antagonistic to copper on both the absorption and metabolic levels. Thus we can
see the potential problem with giving too much zinc to those with a poor copper status in relation
to zinc. Vitamin C therapy would be equally inappropriate.
Niacin excess - Scurvy
The vitamin niacin and the mineral copper are mutually antagonistic to each other as
copper deficiency can be induced by large intakes of niacin. Excess copper increases the
requirements for niacin and, as mentioned above, also for vitamin C. In people suffering from
pellagra, copper retention and absorption increases
It should also be noted that niacin is being promoted as having a cholesterol lowering
effect, which it does. However, due to its copper- lowering effect, niacin can also contribute to
hypercholesterolemia. A low copper status relative to zinc has been associated with a dis-
turbance in the HDL/LDL ratio. Therefore, the use of niacin for hypercholesterol should be
approached with caution if an individual's copper status has not been evaluated. This would be
true of any substance that antagonizes the mineral copper, including vitamin C.
Conclusion
This is a brief example of how a single condition can be caused by several different
factors. It also reveals the complexities of nutritional therapeutics and helps to explain the
various contradictions in the nutritional field.
It is not uncommon to find patients with classical signs of a nutrient deficiency such as
vitamin C. Yet vitamin C therapy may help some of those individuals, worsen others, and affect
still others not at all.
Several years ago I was lecturing at a convention with over 300 people present. I asked
questions regarding the therapeutic use of vitamin C. A large number of people raised their
hands after I asked if vitamin C therapy had helped those with bleeding gums and excessive
bruising. I then asked if anyone had noticed that the conditions did not improve or worsened
with extra vitamin C intake. About a dozen people then raised their hands. Granted, this small
group comprised only a small percentage of the audience, but it illustrates a very important
point: Even though indiscriminate supplementation may adversely affect only a very small
percentage of the general population, assessment of nutritional needs should be done prior to
treatment.
