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PROMOTES Antioxidant Help Anti-Inflammatory Activity Healthy Bones Healthy Skin Healthy Tendons Healthy Lungs Healthy Blood Vessels Hemoglobin Function Iron Absorption Hair Color
PROTECTS AGAINST Free Radicals Damage Arthritis Flares Poor Collagen Formation Poor Elastin Formation Anemia Dull Hair
It is recommended to have a Copper intake of about 2 mg a day.
Overview Copper is an elemental metal that is found in it's pure form in nature and was known to prehistoric, ancient people. It is number 29 on the atomic period table.
Copper, an essential trace mineral, is a cofactor of many enzymes throughout the body including 11 oxidase systems. These are called cuproenzymes.
Copper is absorbed in the small intestines and transported to the liver by transcuprein and albumin. It is there that it is incorporated into certain enzymes and then secreted into the blood on ceruloplasmin, a protein that is an important antioxidant in the blood.
Some surveys suggest that the typical American diet provides about half of the RDA for copper.
The available copper compounds for supplementation and treatments include copper gluconate, copper amino acid chelates, copper glycinate, copper lysinate, copper citrate, copper sulfate, and copper sebacate.
Mild deficiency is common but severe deficiency is rare. Menkes' Disease is a genetic defect inhibiting copper absorption and resulting in steely hair, small stature, cardiovascular abnormalities, progressive mental decline and premature death.
Deficiency Symptoms Include:
-Loss of hair color -Brittle, wiry hair, -Pale skin -Anemia -Fatigue -Low body temperature -Break down of connective tissue -Decreased cardiac output -Impaired neuron function
Antiretroviral medications and some antibiotics can deplete copper. See DRUG DEPLETION TABLE for specific drug information.
Processing strips copper from many foods.
Copper is found in a wide variety of unprocessed foods, including: -Chocolate -Dark Leafy Green Vegetables -Dried legumes -Nuts -Organ Meats -Oysters and other Shell Fish -Whole Grain Bread and Cereals
No copper fortified foods known.
Copper compounds have:
-Antioxidant Activity: Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the body's most important antioxidant enzymes. Copper is also a component in dopamine beta-hydroxylase which oxidizes ascorbic acid. This enzyme is key in norepinephrine synthesis as well.
-Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Some copper chelates have this effect and help to relieve some forms of arthritis.
-Cardiovascular Disease: Studies have shown that an imbalance, either high or low, in copper levels can increase the incidence of cardiovascular abnormalities.
-Collagen formation is dependent on copper. Proper collagen synthesis insures the integrity of bone, cartilage, fascia, skin and tendons.
-Elastin formation requires adequate amounts of copper. Elastin is a protein that provides the elasticity of lung, blood vessel and skin tissue.
-Oxygen transporting in the body depends on copper as it is necessary for the synthesis and function of the helix hemoglobin. Copper stimulates the absorption of iron.
-Melanin, the protein that produces the color in hair and skin, requires copper for it's production.
Excessive calcium inhibits the absorption of copper.
A family history of Wilson's Disease or hemochromatosis, copper pipes in the home, excessive intake of foods high in copper or high supplementation can lead to the severe brain, kidney and/or liver damage of sustained copper toxicity.
Recommended Dietary Allowance: The RDA -recommended dietary allowance- for copper is 2 mg per day. The scientific literature reports use of pharmacologic dosing of 2 to 4 mg a day.
RDA/AI* (Adequate Intake)
AGE (YRS) AMOUNT in micrograms (mcg) / day
Infants 0.0-0.5: 200* 0.5-1.0: 220*
Children 1-3: 340 4-8: 440
Males 9-13: 700 14-18: 890 19-30: 900 31-50: 900 51-70: 900 71+: 900
Females 9-13: 700 14-18: 890 19-30: 900 31-50: 900 51-70: 900 71+: 900
Pregnant: 1000
Lactating: 1300
Copper toxicity with measurable tissue elevations occur when about 500% of the normal ingestion occurs. In these cases of elevated copper levels, most of the difficulties arise because of the interference with the absorption of other metal ion minerals.
Symptoms of toxicity include:
-Dizziness -Headache -Gastrointestinal Upset -Metallic Taste -Salivation -Weakness
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