Copper
Scientific Facts about Copper
Copper is an essential trace mineral that is used for growth, bone strength, immune function, heart function, and brain development.[1] It plays an important role in maintaining a healthy metabolism, along with contributing to bodily growth and repair. Your body needs it to properly carry out many enzyme reactions and maintain the health of connective tissue. Copper is actually the 3rd most prevalent mineral within the body, but your body itself cannot produce it as well as cannot store it in sufficient amounts. As a result, to reduce copper deficiency, you have to obtain it through certain foods like liver, oysters, nuts and seeds, wild seafood and fish, beans, certain whole grains, and certain vegetables. In fact, a copper deficiency can harm the body in multiple ways. People use copper supplements to hinder or reduce copper deficiency.
Copper health benefits
How Copper Works?
Different studies demonstrate that copper influences certain important brain pathways involving the neurotransmitters dopamine and galactose. Those neurotransmitters are required to keep your energy up, to keep a happy mood and outlook, and to help with focus.
Again, signs of a copper deficiency can occur when there is not enough copper present in the body. And the signs may be a low metabolic activity, fatigue, trouble concentrating, a poor mood, and more. They may be a sign that the network of reactions and metabolic pathways involving copper are suffering. Moreover, copper can be involved in the use of several antioxidants including vitamin C and superoxide dismutase, ascorbate oxidase, and tyrosinase. Vitamin C and other antioxidants are important for stopping free radical damage in the brain and slowing the aging process which can cause signs of aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Consideration and recomendation
Copper is generally safe when taken in low dose which not more than 10 mg a day. But overdose can cause serious side effects; even kidney failure and death can occur with as little as 1 gram of copper sulfate. The common reported side effects that are associated with copper overdose include nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, low blood pressure, anemia, and heart problems. Copper may interact with penicillamine which is used for Wilson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
The National Institute of Medicine has determined Adequate Intake (AI) of copper for infants: 0 to 6 months, 200 mcg (30 mcg/kg/day); 7 to 12 months, 220 mcg (24 mcg/kg/day). For children, a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of copper has been set: 1 to 3 years, 340 mcg/day; 4 to 8 years, 440 mcg/day; 9 to 13, 700 mcg/day; 14 to 18 years, 890 mcg/day. For men and women aged 19 years and older, the RDA of copper is 900 mcg/day. For pregnancy, the RDA is 1000 mcg/day, and breast feeding 1300 mcg/day for women of all ages.[17]
However, it is always wise to consult your physician or healthcare provider for your appropriate dose.
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8615366
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0009734/?report=details
https://draxe.com/copper-deficiency/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28448084
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2697138
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5318168/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3774818/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18726539
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10619703
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10448050
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26313539
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5090008/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16557356
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-902/copper
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556990/
https://examine.com/supplements/copper/
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-902/copper