Copper
Copper is an essential trace element that is vital to the health of all living things (humans, plants, animals, and microorganisms). The human body normally contains copper at a level of about 1.4 to 2.1 mg for each kg of body weight. Copper is distributed widely in the body and occurs in liver, muscle and bone. Copper is transported in the bloodstream on a plasma protein called ceruloplasmin. When copper is first absorbed in the gut it is transported to the liver bound to albumin. Copper metabolism and excretion is controlled delivery of copper to the liver by ceruloplasmin, where it is excreted in bile.
Daily dietary standards for copper have been set by various health agencies around the world. Researchers specializing in the fields of microbiology, toxicology, nutrition, and health risk assessments are working together to define precise copper levels required for essentiality while avoiding deficient or excess copper intakes.
Copper is antibacterial/germicidal, via the oligodynamic effect. For example, brass doorknobs disinfect themselves of many bacteria within a period of eight hours. Antimicrobial properties of copper are effective against MRSA, Escherichia coli and other pathogens. At colder temperatures, longer times are required to kill bacteria.
It is believed that zinc and copper compete for absorption in the digestive tract so that a diet that is excessive in one of these minerals may result in a deficiency in the other. The RDA for copper in normal healthy adults is 0.9 mg/day. On the other hand, professional research on the subject recommends 3.0 mg/day. Because of its role in facilitating iron uptake, copper deficiency can often produce anemia-like symptoms. Conversely, an accumulation of copper in body tissues are believed to cause the symptoms of Wilson’s disease in humans. Copper deficiency is also associated with neutropenia, bone abnormalities, hypopigmentation, impaired growth, increased incidence of infections, and abnormalities in glucose and cholesterol metabolism. Severe deficiency can be found by testing for low plasma or serum copper levels, low caeruloplasmin, and low red blood cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. However, these tests are not sensitive to marginal but not severe copper status. The “cytochrome c oxidase activity of leucocytes and platelets” is another sign of deficiency, but the results have not been confirmed by replication.
Chronic copper depletion leads to abnormalities in metabolism of fats, high triglycerides, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fatty liver disease and poor melanin and dopamine synthesis causing depression and sunburn. Ingest the correct amount of copper and zinc with MIN with multiple vitamins and minerals your body needs on a daily basis. Get a one-month’s supply of your multiple vitamins and minerals with MIN today.
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