Copper – demand, role, excess and shortage of copper [EXPLAINED]

Proven content

Copper is a mineral necessary for the proper functioning of the human body. It is found in all tissues of the body and plays an important role in the production of red blood cells, nerve cells, and stimulates the immune system. It helps in the formation of collagen, iron absorption and energy production. Both copper deficiency and excess can affect the proper functioning of the brain. Copper deficiency is quite rare, but when it occurs it can affect, inter alia, on the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Copper – what is it?

Copper is an essential mineral that is naturally present in some foods and is found in many dietary supplements. It is a cofactor for several enzymes (known as “cuproenzymes”) involved in energy production, iron metabolism, neuropeptide activation, connective tissue synthesis, and neurotransmitter synthesis. One of the abundant cuproenzymes is ceruloplasmin (CP), which plays a role in iron metabolism and carries over 95% of total copper in healthy human plasma. Copper is also involved in many physiological processes such as angiogenesis, neurohormone homeostasis, and the regulation of gene expression, brain development, pigmentation, and immune function.

Copper is an element that is a component of enzymes and is important in the regulation of metabolism, fats, the generation of energy at the cellular level, the formation of melanin and the work of the nervous system. This enzyme can also be found in food products, e.g. grains, mushrooms, dried fruit and livers. Copper is absorbed in the intestines and excreted in the bile.

Also read: Copper has been proven effective in fighting microbes

Copper – demand

The recommended daily intake of copper is approximately 900 micrograms (mcg) for adolescents and adults. The upper limit for adults 19 years of age and older is 10 mcg or 000 milligrams (mg) per day. Ingestion above this level may be toxic.

Copper – role in the body

Copper is an essential nutrient for your body to function optimally. Together with iron, it enables the body to create red blood cells. It helps maintain healthy bones, blood vessels, nerves, and immune function, and contributes to iron absorption. Getting enough copper in your diet can also help prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. High cholesterol and high blood pressure lower the levels of copper in the body.

Copper plays an important role in maintaining the proper levels of collagen and elastin, the main structural components of our body. Scientists have hypothesized that copper has antioxidant properties and that, along with other antioxidants, it can help prevent skin aging. At medonetmarket.pl you can order the Indeed Mineral booster for tired skin with copper and other valuable ingredients, thanks to which the skin is oxygenated and rejuvenated.

Without enough copper, the body cannot replace the damaged connective tissue or the collagen that forms some kind of scaffolding for the bones. As a consequence, it can lead to a number of problems, including joint dysfunction.

Animal studies have shown that copper can help prevent or delay arthritis – however, this has not been confirmed by human studies.

See: Copper and Alzheimer’s Disease

Copper Sources – Where is the Most Sources?

Many foods contain copper. Eating them regularly will help you meet your daily requirements for this nutrient. Here they are:

1. seafood – oysters, lobsters, calamari, clams,
2. beef,
3. liver,
4. nuts – cashews, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, macadamia nuts, peanuts,
5. lentils,
6. soy,
7. grenade,
8. unsweetened or semi-sweet chocolate or cocoa,
9. cereals,
10. tomatoes,
11. an avocado,
12. plums,
13. bananas
14. boiled potatoes,
15. black pepper.

Copper should only be supplied to the body from food. However, in some cases, its supplementation is required, especially when:

1. celiac disease,
2. kidney disease
3. pancreatic diseases,
4. a large amount of constant stress,
5. high zinc intake
6. Menkes’ disease (a genetic disorder that makes it harder for copper to be absorbed).

Try, for example, Ultimate Beauty Complex Viridian, which contains, among others, copper and has a positive effect on beauty. You can also reach for Organic zinc + copper YANGO or copper in organic form YANGO. You can buy all supplements at favorable prices on Medonet Market.

Read: A healthy diet for wellness

Copper level testing – when do we do?

Your doctor may recommend an examination in the following cases:

1. suspicion of Wilson’s disease – ailments related to incorrect incorporation of copper into the carrier protein, ceruloplasmin,
2. suspicion of Menkes disease,
3. during parenteral nutrition,
4. diagnosis of liver cirrhosis,
5. detection of deficiencies or excesses in the body.

Copper – testing the level of copper

Material for testing copper: serum.

Preparation for the test: on an empty stomach (at least 8 hours).

The course of copper testing: one-time blood sampling from a vein in the arm.

The waiting time for the copper result: 1 Day.

Standard: 12,6-25,2 µmol/l (8-160 µg/dl).

Copper deficiency – what does it mean?

Copper deficiency can lead to health problems such as anemia, heart and circulation problems, bone abnormalities, and complications in the functioning of the nervous and immune systems, lungs, thyroid gland, pancreas and kidneys.

Copper deficiency can be aggravated by:

1. genetic defects of copper metabolism,
2. absorption problems,
3. too much intake of zinc or vitamin C supplements,
4. some conditions such as central nervous system (CNS) demyelination, polyneuropathy, myelopathy, and optic neuritis.

Too little copper can also lead to neutropenia. This is a shortage of white blood cells or neutrophils to fight infection. A person with low levels of neutrophils is more likely to suffer from all sorts of infectious diseases. In addition, severe copper deficiency can affect bone mineral density and contribute to the development of osteoporosis.

As copper is stored in the liver, deficiency symptoms develop very slowly.

In what situations does the amount of copper increase?

1. inflammations,
2. myeloid leukemia,
3. plastic and megaloblastic anemia.

Read: Vitamins in food

Copper Excess – What Does It Mean?

Contrary to a deficiency which may be more common, excess copper is quite a rare occurrence. Nevertheless, too much copper in the body can cause:

1. nausea,
2. vomiting, especially black or bloody
3. stomach pain,
4. headaches,
5. dizziness,
6. diarrhea,
7. a metallic taste in the mouth,
8. general fatigue.

In some cases, toxic levels of copper in the body can develop. This is a rare but life-threatening condition that can cause:

1. heart failure
2. kidney failure
3. liver damage
4. brain diseases,
5. yellowing of the skin integuments,
6. coma.

Copper dietary supplements

Copper supplements are available, usually as a complex preparation with other minerals. However, this ingredient should be supplemented naturally, through food. Importantly, the nutrients in food interact with each other to produce an effect that is more significant than the effect achieved by taking individual nutrients separately in the form of pharmaceutical preparations.

In addition, there is a risk of copper-containing dietary supplements interacting with other medications, such as:

1. birth control pills and hormone therapy,
2. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
3. penicillamine – used to reduce copper levels in Wilson’s disease
4. allopurinol – treatment of gout,
5. cimetidine – used to treat stomach ulcers and acid reflux
6. zinc supplements.

If you want to take care of your skin with copper-based dietary supplements, try BrownMe Health Labs – for sun-hungry skin.

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