Myelodysplasia, also called myelodysplastic syndrome, is a collective term for a group of bone marrow disorders that cause your body to produce insufficient quantities of functional blood cells. You can develop a myelodysplastic disorder for several reasons. In some cases, nutritional circumstances that lead to a copper deficiency can lead to the onset of myelodysplasia.
Myelodysplasia Basics
Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found in the interior of certain bones in your body, including your pelvis, femurs and sternum. This tissue contains immature cells, called stem cells, which are used to form the components of your blood, including oxygen-bearing red blood cells, your immune system’s white blood cells and the platelets that allow your blood to clot. In people with myelodysplasia, blood cells produced in the marrow don’t mature properly and either die inside the marrow tissue or shortly after passing to the bloodstream. Eventually, unhealthy blood cells outnumber healthy cells, and symptoms such as infection, excessive bleeding and anemia start to appear.
Copper Basics
In your body, copper functions as an essential trace mineral. This means you need to get small amounts of it in your diet to maintain adequate health. Common sources of the mineral in the average diet include shellfish, seeds, nuts, organ meats and mushrooms. You can develop a copper deficiency if you have a condition, such as celiac disease or short bowel syndrome, which decreases your ability to absorb the nutrient content of your diet. Other populations potentially at risk for the onset of a deficiency include certain infants who only drink cow’s milk formula, people with restricted diets, people with cystic fibrosis and people who receive all their nutrients through intravenous, or IV, feedings.
Copper Deficiency
Certain types of myelodysplasia, called de novo myelodysplasias, have no apparent cause. According to a study published in 2007 in the “American Journal of Hematology,” copper deficiency is the underlying cause of some of these de novo cases, as well as some unexplained cases of anemia and a white blood cell disorder called neutropenia. When given oral doses of a copper supplement, all study participants with anemia and neutropenia regained normal blood-related health within a month. Recovery from myelodysplasia occurred after a period of eight months. The study authors recommend that doctors check for copper deficiency in anyone with an unexplained case of myelodysplasia, anemia or neutropenia.
Additional Nutritional Concerns
People with myelodysplasia often have increased risks for serious and/or recurrent infections. To reduce these risks, MayoClinic.com recommends that all at-risk individuals thoroughly cook all fish and meat, only consume fruits and vegetables that can be peeled and thoroughly wash these fruits and veggies before peeling them. If you have a form of myelodysplasia that can lead to infections, your doctor may recommend that you stay away from all uncooked foods. Consult your doctor and a registered nutritionist for more information on the nutritional issues associated with myelodysplasia.
References
- St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital: Leukemias/Lymphomas - Myelodysplasia (MDS)
- MayoClinic.com; Myelodysplastic Syndromes (Pages 1, 3 and 9); October 13, 2009
- "American Journal of Hematology"; Copper Deficiency Causes Reversible Myelodysplasia; J.D. Huff, et al.; July 2007
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry - Lab Tests Online: Bone Marrow Disorders - Overview
- Oregon State University - Linus Pauling Institute; Copper; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; April 2003
