Disclaimer: The content of this podcast, and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it are not intended, and are not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition you may have, and you should seek the assistance of a healthcare professional for any such conditions, and always inform your doctor of any changes you make, or are thinking about making to your lifestyle.
In this episode of The Alpha Human Podcast, Lawrence Rosenberg talks with Morley Robbins, founder of the Root Cause Protocol, on iron overload and its connection to cancer.
Robbins delves into the history and misconceptions surrounding iron and its perceived deficiency in human health leading to a societal fixation on iron supplementation. Robbins challenges this narrative, highlighting the abundance of iron in the environment and the human body’s natural ability to regulate iron through copper.
Robbins asserts that many health issues, including cancer, are due to a lack of bioavailable copper and an excess of unregulated iron. He describes how the body’s metabolism, particularly in cancer cells, shifts from using oxygen (oxidative phosphorylation) to fermenting sugar (glycolysis) due to a copper deficiency. This shift, known as the Warburg Effect, indicates a lack of bioavailable copper necessary for iron regulation and oxygen metabolism.
The conversation also touches on the role of liver impairment and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which Robbins attributes to an imbalance of copper, retinol, and iron. He emphasizes the importance of retinol (animal-based vitamin A) in maintaining copper balance and its critical role in overall health. Robbins challenges conventional wisdom on supplements like vitamin D and ascorbic acid, arguing that they can impede the body’s natural mineral balance.
“Copper deficiency will favor glycolysis and cell proliferation”:
Role of Copper on Mitochondrial Function and Metabolism https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2021.711227/full
The Disturbed Iron Phenotype of Tumor Cells and Macrophages in Renal Cell Carcinoma Influences Tumor Growth
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7139531/
Altered Iron Metabolism and Impact in Cancer Biology, Metastasis, and Immunology
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.00476/full
Copper deficiency increases iron absorption in the rat
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00509.2002
Association between blood copper and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease according to sex
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261561420304982