Copper

Copper: Overview

Some authorities believe that our average intake is higher than our actual needs, that low intakes are uncommon, and that toxicity is a potential problem.  Others believe that a low intake is more common because soil depletion has decreased the copper level in many foods and because many people avoid natural, copper-containing foods.

Diagnose your symptoms now!
  • let The Analyst™ find what's wrong
  • check your overall health status
  • understand what's happening to your body

Copper is an essential trace mineral needed for good human health.  It is also one of the most important blood antioxidants.  A copper deficiency causes higher serum cholesterol levels along with the lesions similar to those seen in coronary artery disease.  Its deficiency is associated with hypercholesterolemia (increased levels of fat in the blood) and myocardial (heart muscle) degeneration.

Source

Copper is found in many natural foods in small amounts, oysters and nuts being the richest sources.  Foods with good supplies of copper are the whole grains, particularly buckwheat and whole wheat; shellfish, such as shrimp and other sea food; liver and other organ meats; most dried peas and beans; and nuts, such as Brazil nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and pecans.  Oysters have high amounts, about five times as much as other foods.  Soybeans supply copper, as do dark leafy greens and some dried fruits such as prunes; cocoa, black pepper and yeast are also sources.  In addition to food sources, copper can come from water pipes and cookware.

Copper Gluconate is a common supplemental form.  Various forms of copper (salts, amino acid chelates) are now available.

Function; Why it is Recommended

Copper is an essential element (mineral) in the human body.  Needed by all the tissues of the body, as it is used in various enzymatic reactions, it is most used by the liver.

Inadequate intake of Copper can result in such diverse symptoms as anemia, hypercholesterolemia, impaired glucose tolerance, pancreatic atrophy, cardiomyopathy, and increased mortality.  Copper insufficiencies can result from increased fructose intake, poor diet, increased age, alcohol or drug abuse, bowel disease or partial removal, and long-term intravenous nourishment.

Instructions

The RDA for copper is 2mg per day for adults, 1-2mg for children and 0.5-1mg for infants.  The average adult intake had been estimated at 2.5-5mg per day, although there are reports suggesting lower levels.  Whenever copper is deficient, which it can be for many reasons, it should be supplemented.  If you take a copper supplement, you should consider also taking zinc, unless you are treating high zinc levels or a copper deficiency.  Usually, an 8:1 to 15:1 ratio of Zn:Cu intake is recommended.

On This Page

Copper:

Copper can help with the following:

Aging

Not recommended for

Circulation

Aneurysm / Rupture

If copper levels are low, supplemental copper should be taken for its connective tissue strengthening effect.

Poor/Slow Wound Healing

A German physician first observed the role of copper in healing, noting that broken bones seemed to heal faster when patients were given a copper salt during convalescence.  Since then, the role of copper in the biosynthesis of bone and connective tissue has been well established, although its mechanism of action is only partially known [Tenaud et al. 1999].

Copper supplementation enhances bone healing, working with vitamin C to create strong collagen, and creating cross-links in collagen and elastin that give strength to proteins.

Copper also plays a critical role in the synthesis of the natural antioxidant called copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD).

NOTE: Long-term high-dose copper is not recommended as a dietary supplement because there is significant evidence that it generates too much free-radical activity throughout the body.  On the other hand, therapeutic, short-term supplementation of copper (8mg daily) to enhance wound healing at localized injury sites is appropriate.  Copper supplementation as early as possible after serious burns has been demonstrated to replenish the copper depletion that is so typical of burn victims.

Environment / Toxicity

Zinc Toxicity

Low doses of copper will help restore the imbalance between zinc and copper caused by long term excessive zinc intake.

Not recommended for

Hormones

Not recommended for
Histapenia (Histamine Low)

Excess copper may be acquired from commercial vitamins and minerals or drinking water flowing through copper pipes.  Distilled water may occasionally be needed to reduce copper intake.

Wilson's Disease

People with Wilson's disease should eliminate copper as far as possible from their diet, environment and supplement sources.

Musculo-Skeletal

Osteoporosis - Osteopenia

Trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, and boron) are required for strong bone formation.

Osteoarthritis

The use of copper bracelets in the treatment of arthritis has a long history due to its mild anti-inflammatory effects.

Nutrients

Not recommended for
Zinc Requirement

Because of copper's antagonism to zinc, copper should be avoided while restoring zinc levels.

Report by The Analyst™
Click to see sample report
Health problems rarely occur in isolation or for obvious reasons

Your body is a highly complex, interconnected system.  Instead of guessing at what might be wrong, let us help you discover what is really going on inside your body based on the many clues it is giving.

Our multiple symptom checker provides in-depth health analysis by The Analyst™ with full explanations, recommendations and (optionally) doctors available for case review and answering your specific questions.

KEY

May be useful: may help with
May be useful:
may help with
Moderately useful: often helps with
Moderately useful:
often helps with
Very useful: is highly recommended for
Very useful:
is highly recommended for
Often counterindicated: is often not recommended for
Often counterindicated:
is often not recommended for
Should be avoided: is NOT recommended for
Should be avoided:
is NOT recommended for
We use cookies for traffic analysis, advertising, and to provide the best user experience