Young male hartley guinea pigs were fed a basal diet or a basal diet and supplemented daily with vitamin c p o.
													
																	Vitamin c copper. 
									
	
		
	
																	A better known and established cause of copper deficiency is supplementing with high doses of zinc as zinc competes with copper for absorption. 
																	Although interaction of vitamin c copper and iron have been studied in several species little is known about these interactions in species which require the vitamin in the diet. 
																	Although vitamin c supplements have produced copper deficiency in guinea pigs the effect of vitamin c supplements on copper nutritional status in humans is less clear. 
																	It is known experimentally hat copper deficient animals can have their lives shortened by adding 0 1 to 1 ascorbic acid to their. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Copper and vitamin c interactions. 
																	Ascorbic acid is thought to interact with copper in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and decrease the absorption of the mineral. 
																	A high intake of zinc 150 mg a day or above and vitamin c over 1 500 mg a day may induce copper deficiency by competing with copper for absorption in the intestine. 
																	Zinc can lower copper stores so it is often recommended to take supplemental copper at a ratio of 1 to 10 if you take supplemental zinc. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Causes of deficiency in infants. 
																	Andrew weil m d and brian becker m d on oct. 
																	Posted on april 26 2012 by robert barrington.