NutriStack
Copper and Vitamin C, a caution.
Sustained high-dose (gram-level) vitamin C can lower ceruloplasmin oxidase activity and may impair copper status, though effects on copper absorption have been inconsistent across studies.
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At a glance
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Supplement
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Moderate evidence
Caution
What is happening. Sustained high-dose (gram-level) vitamin C can lower ceruloplasmin oxidase activity and may impair copper status, though effects on copper absorption have been inconsistent across studies.
Mechanism. Pharmacologic doses of ascorbic acid can reduce ceruloplasmin ferroxidase (oxidase) activity and may interfere with copper handling; the effect is driven by chronic high intake rather than acute co-ingestion, so meal spacing does not reliably prevent it.
Recommendation. Avoid chronic gram-level vitamin C if copper status is marginal, and ensure adequate copper intake if you take high-dose vitamin C long term. Ordinary dietary or modest supplemental vitamin C intakes are not a concern.
Sources (2)
- Finley EB, Cerklewski FL. Influence of ascorbic acid supplementation on copper status in young adult men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1983
- Jacob RA, Skala JH, Omaye ST, Turnlund JR. Effect of varying ascorbic acid intakes on copper absorption and ceruloplasmin levels of young men. J Nutr. 1987. PMID 3694287
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Copper and Vitamin C are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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