Copper. What amount of Copper do you need each day? What is Copper? Why is Copper important and what does it do in the body?

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1 Copper What is Copper? Copper is the third most abundant trace mineral in the body after iron and zinc at an estimated total weight of 70-80mgs. Copper is found in its greatest concentration in the liver and the brain but is also found in muscle, bone and skin. Why is Copper important and what does it do in the body? Copper is important as it helps to convert iron into hemoglobin the protein in the blood that carries oxygen to all tissues. A copper deficiency can lead to low iron and ultimately to anemia. Copper is important for the utilization of Vitamin C and of the amino acid tyrosine, producing the pigmentation of skin and the hair. It is required for the production of collagen. Deficiencies manifest with blood vessels rupturing or bone and joint abnormalities. Copper is required for use in our metallothionein proteins. These are the protein carriers of metals in the body, especially cadmium and mercury, but they are also required to remove excess minerals and metals like copper, if the level becomes too high in the blood. Copper is also required for cellular energy production and it acts as a modulator in neurotransmitter function and also supports the immune system. It is used in one of our main antioxidant enzymes, super oxide dismutase to aid the disarming of damaging free radicals. What amount of Copper do you need each day? Copper levels are controlled by metallothionein protein uptake and zinc and must be maintained in a very narrow range for us to function at our highest level. Menkes disease is a copper deficiency caused by excessive excretion of copper from the brain and gut. Conversely, Wilson s disease is a condition that has elevated copper levels. Prior to any supplementation with copper please seek advice from your health care professional. The DRI (Daily Recommended Intake) /RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of dietary Copper are listed below: Please Note: By definition, the DRI/RDA recommendations apply only to 98% of healthy individuals and are not sufficient for those with higher nutrient requirements based upon their biochemical individuality, genetics, health status, medications, deficiencies, lifestyle, and toxic exposures. The following lists provide the recommended daily dietary intake of copper for children and adults from the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine.

2 Adult For adults 19 years and older: 900 mcg daily For pregnant women: 1,000 mcg daily For breastfeeding women: 1,300 mcg daily If you take a copper supplement, you should also take a zinc supplement (8-15 mg of zinc for every 1 mg of copper) as an imbalance of these two minerals can cause health problems. Cu Mineral Pediatric For infants from birth - 6 months: 200 mcg daily For infants 7-12 months: 220 mcg daily For children 1-3 years: 340 mcg daily For children 4-8 years: 440 mcg daily For children 9-13 years: 700 mcg daily For children years: 890 mcg daily RECOMMENDED DAILY INTAKE None established OPTIMAL DAILY ALLOWANCE 2mg/Day Children should get copper from foods. Do not give copper supplements to children.

3 NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS AND CONDITIONS What are possible Copper deficiency conditions and symptoms? Alzheimer s disease Anemia Autism Depression Diabetic neuropathy Fatigue Glucose intolerance Idiopathic seizure disorder Low white blood cell count Menkes disease Osteoporosis Rheumatoid arthritis Schizophrenia Shortness of breath Skin de-pigmentation Skin sores Slow ligament repair What are possible Copper excess symptoms? Copper supplementation with as little as 10mg may induce nausea. Dosages of 60mg may produce vomiting. Excess may also induce insomnia, hair loss, irregular menses (periods) and depression. Copper should not be provided for children unless prescribed by a health care practitioner. Note: Supplementation will impact zinc status and should be provided in a 10:1 Zinc to copper ratio. What that means is that, if 10 mg of zinc is given, 1 mg of copper should also be given. It is common to find that the ratio is not accurate in many multi vitamin and mineral supplements. Copper is present in cigarette smoke, car fumes, birth control pills and water supplies from copper pipes. What steals Copper from the body? Zinc, iron and Vitamin C compete with copper and may impair copper absorption. High fructose (sugar from fruits) diets may reduce copper absorption. Phytates from foods such as grains and legumes can bind to copper and reduce its absorption. Prolonged periods of diarrhea. Inositol hexaphosphate (commonly known as IP-6 is a vitamin like substance found in animals and plant foods) may inhibit copper absorption. High fiber diets binds copper as it travels through the gut and this reduces absorption. Anti-rheumatic drugs such as Penicillamine. Antacid drugs such as aluminum containing antacids: Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta. Calcium-containing antacids: Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums. Magnesium-containing antacids: Gaviscon, Maalox and Mylanta and Alka Seltzer. Anti viral drugs: Zidovadine, Retrovir (AZT). What tests can be used to assess Copper levels? Red Blood cell copper levels Serum ceruloplasmin Copper levels in urine Elevated HVA (homovanillic acid):vma ( vanillylmandelic acid) ratio in urine will help identify Menkes disease and elevated copper levels.

4 What foods contain the highest amounts of Copper? TOP 10 COPPER RICH FOODS ARE: 1. Liver Pâté 15mg/Day 2. Oysters 5mg/100g 3. Sesame seeds or Tahini 4.1mg/Day 4. Dark Chocolate 3.8mg/Day 5. Cashews 2.2mg/100g 6. Calamari (squid) 2.1mg/100g 7. Hazelnuts 2.0mg/100g 8. Lobster 1.9mg/100g 9. Sunflower seeds 1.8mg/100g 10. Sun Dried Tomatoes 1.4mg/100g What are the best Copper products? Copper citrate, gluconate and sulfate are all acceptable dietary supplements. REFERENCES Copper University of Maryland Medical Center medical/altmed/supplement/copper#ixzz36hice1i5 University of Maryland Medical Center Baker. Sidney. M.D, Pangborn. Jon Autism effective Biomedical Treatments 2005 Lord. S. Richard, Bralley. J. Alexander, Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine 2nd Ed 2008 Shannon, Michael. Dr. Complete Nutrition Murray. T. Michael. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements Holford. Patrick. The Optimum Nutrition Bible Laake. Dana Nutrient Chart (not published) Groff. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism 5th 2009 Gibson Principles of Nutritional Assessment 2nd Ed Clinical Nutrition: A functional Approach 2nd Ed. IFM 2004 Harpers review of Biochemistry. Lange Med 26 Ed 2009 Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH Fact sheets 2010 Balch. A. Phyllis CNC Prescription for Nutritional Healing All the statements, including product labels, supporting literature and/or product manufacturers websites have not been evaluated by FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

5 Copper What are the very best Copper products to buy? Klaire Multi Element Buffered C Vitamin C is important for immune function and antioxidant protection, as well as collagen and connective tissue production. Multi-Element Buffered C adds calcium, magnesium and potassium to ascorbic acid to create a buffered ProThera MultiThera 1 This versatile, high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement is formulated to be the primary dietary supplement for all types of patients. The amounts and ratios of nutrients are based on many years of clinical experience ProThera MultiThera 2 Iron-fortified multi-nutrient formula. This versatile, high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement is formulated to be the primary dietary supplement for all types of patients. The amounts