Rethinking Hemochromatosis: It’s Not Iron Overload—It’s a Copper Deficiency

If you’ve been diagnosed with hemochromatosis, chances are you’ve been told your body absorbs too much iron, and the only solution is frequent phlebotomy to drain it out. But what if the real issue isn’t too much iron... but not enough copper?

That’s the radical—and highly compelling—perspective of Morley Robbins, author of Cu-RE Your Fatigue: The Root Cause and How To Fix It On Your Own and founder of the Root Cause Protocol (RCP).

Robbins was recently interviewed on the Realfoodology Podcast, where he delivered a powerful reframe:

“Copper is what runs the recycling program. That 2.5 million red blood cells taken offline every second requires bioavailable copper to complete the cycle—and that’s not taught in any doctor school on the planet.”

🎧 Listen to the full interview here:
https://app.podscribe.com/episode/90990226

The Copper-Iron Connection

Iron and copper metabolism are deeply intertwined. While conventional medicine focuses on lowering iron, Robbins explains that copper—specifically bioavailable copper in the form of ceruloplasmin—is what regulates iron naturally.

Without enough copper:

• Iron can’t be properly recycled or moved out of storage.
• It accumulates in tissues, not because there's too much, but because it’s stuck.
• The result? Oxidative stress, inflammation, and fatigue—symptoms that mimic “iron overload.”

The Root Cause Protocol Approach

Rather than simply removing iron via bloodletting, Robbins encourages supporting the body’s natural iron recycling system by increasing ceruloplasmin.

This is done by:

• Avoiding iron supplements and synthetic vitamin D
• Emphasizing retinol (real vitamin A from liver or cod liver oil)
• Getting whole-food vitamin C (not ascorbic acid)
• Replenishing magnesium and trace minerals
• Supplementing with copper (such as Recuperate, a copper bisglycinate blend)

“What looks like iron overload is often copper deficiency anemia (CDA), not true iron excess.”

What About Hemochromatosis?

Yes—Robbins even applies this model to genetic hemochromatosis.

He doesn’t deny that these individuals store more iron—but he argues the deeper problem is that their recycling system is broken, largely due to a lifetime of copper-deficient, processed food diets. Instead of relying solely on phlebotomies, he recommends addressing the mineral imbalance and supporting the liver and spleen with castor oil packs, nutrient-dense foods, and the full Root Cause Protocol.

Want to Learn More?

📘 Read the full book:
Cu-RE Your Fatigue: The Root Cause and How To Fix It On Your Own by Morley M. Robbins

🎙️ Listen to the podcast episode:
Iron Metabolism and Its Impact on Health | Realfoodology Podcast

🌐 Visit the official website:
www.rcp123.org

Final Thoughts

If you or someone you love is struggling with “iron overload,” consider this: the problem might not be too much iron—but not enough copper in the right form. Before rushing to deplete iron stores, ask whether your body has what it needs to move and regulate iron naturally. Robbins’ paradigm doesn’t just challenge conventional thinking—it offers a new pathway to healing and energy.