Copper

Question 1

Copper

Answer 1

• As a component of several enzymes known as cuproenzymes, Copper (Cu) is an essential mineral for human health.
• Cu is absorbed mostly in the small intestine , and to a lesser degree, the stomach (enhanced by stomach acid). It is excreted in bile
• Cu is found in both plant and animal foods (dairy is a poor source).

Question 2

Copper Food Sources

Answer 2

Seeds & Nuts: sesame (4082mcg) , cashews, sunflower
Grains & Legumes: quinoa (802mcg), oats, chickpeas
Vegetables and fungi: shiitake (896mcg), avocado, garlic
Organ meat: calf’s liver (4466mcg)
Shellfish: oysters (2679mcg), lobster, crab, prawns

Question 3

Copper: Roles

Answer 3

Antioxidant
Structural
Red Blood Cells
Immunity
Nervous System

Question 4

Copper: Antioxidant - Functions

Answer 4

• Cu is a component of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin

Question 5

Copper: Antioxidant - Therapeutic Uses

Answer 5

Free-radical protection

Atherosclerosis

Question 6

Copper: Structural - Functions

Answer 6

• Supports the structure of skin, blood vessel and bone. Cu is a component of ‘ lysyl oxidase’, an enzyme needed for cross linking collagen and elastin
• Melanin formation.

Question 7

Copper: Structural - Therapeutic Uses

Answer 7

• Wound healing
• Vascular health
• Osteoporosis
• Burns

Question 8

Copper: RBCs - Functions

Answer 8

• Together with iron, Cu is involved in haem synthesis and the formation of erythrocytes.

Question 9

Copper: RBCs - Therapeuic Uses

Answer 9

• Anaemia

* Fatigue

Question 10

Copper: Immunity - Functions

Answer 10

• It is thought that the innate immune system (especially phagocytes ) use concentrations of Cu to kill bacteria

Question 11

Copper: Immunity - Therapeutic Uses

Answer 11

• Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)

* Infections

Question 12

Copper: Nervous System - Functions

Answer 12

• Formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath
• Copper is a cofactor for the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline , which is a neurotransmitter that mobilises the body for ‘fight or flight’ (i.e. increases blood pressure, releases glucose)

Question 13

Copper: Nervous System - Therapeutic Uses

Answer 13

• Neurotransmitter synthesis
• Alertness
• Focus
• Fight or flight

Question 14

Copper Deficiency

Answer 14

• Copper deficiency is rare because many foods contain good amounts of Cu and we need very little (Adults: 1.3mg 1.6mg/day).
• However, deficiency may be induced by:
- Long term high Zinc supplementation (>50mg/day depresses Cu absorption and restricts utilisation of Cu).
- Infants fed cow’s milk (dairy is a very poor source of copper)

Question 15

Copper Deficiency Signs and Symptoms

Answer 15

• The most frequent signs and symptoms of deficiency are:

• Anaemia (due to Cu role in iron metabolism)
• Bone fractures (due to Cu role in collagen structure)
• Impaired growth and reduced skin pigmentation
• Recurrent infections

Question 16

Copper: Toxicity and Overload

Answer 16

• Acute toxicity is typically only seen from contaminated drinking water (e.g. copper pipes) or genetic disorders (Wilson’s disease).
- Symptoms of acute Cu toxicity include: vomiting, diarrhoea, liver / kidney damage, haemolytic anaemia, coma and death.
- Investigate water supply, supplementation or high Cu food intake.
• Copper Overload is more common, especially in women as oestrogen can cause Cu retention.
- Symptoms of Cu overload include: emotional instability, ADHD, intolerance to OCP, low immunity (Zn deficiency), skin sensitivity to cheap metal, allergies, acne and more.
- In Cu overload, explore Zinc deficiency and gut function.