Description:
Copper is a micro-mineral used to make bone, hemoglobin, and red
blood cells. It combines with zinc and vitamin C to make connective
tissue. Copper is important to the healing process, skin coloring,
healthy nerves, and joints. A deficiency of copper can lead to osteoporosis,
anemia, baldness, diarrhea, and skin sores. Excessive intake of
copper can lead to depression, irritability, nausea, vomiting, nervousness,
and joint and muscle pain.
Complimentary Nutrients:
Molybdenum, cobalt, iron, and zinc.
Antagonists:
Cadmium, and high intakes of zinc.
Health Benefits:
Circulatory system, hair and skin color, emotional states, hemoglobin
and red blood cell formation, bone formation, healing, and mental
processes.
Therapeutic Uses:
Baldness, and anemia.
Vitamin Therapies should be done with the supervision of a qualified
health care professional. In the panel on the left, under ailments
you can find more information about treatments for some of these
conditions. You can also locate therapeutic information on this
site by using the search engine - click on 'Search' in the panel
on your left - and entering words relating to the ailment you are
interested in.
Deficiency Indicators:
Impaired respiration, diarrhea in infants, general weakness, and
skin sores.
Dosage:
| RDA |
Optimal Health |
Therapeutic Amounts |
| 2 mg (males), 2 mg (females) |
3 mg |
10 mg |
RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) are dosages developed by the
FDA. These amounts are designed to prevent deficiency symptoms.
For optimal health it is necessary to take a larger dose. The optimal
health amounts are for adults and children weighing over 100 lbs.
Children under the age of six should be given nutritional formulas
designed specifically for young children. The therapeutic amounts
to treat special conditions are usually much higher, and should
not be taken without the supervision of a qualified health care
professional.
Sources:
Foods containing copper are: almonds, avocados, barley, beans,
beets, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, garlic, lentils, liver, mushrooms,
nuts, oats, oranges, pecans, radishes, raisins, salmon, seafood,
soybeans, green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, organ meats, and
oysters. Here are some examples.
| Food |
Amount |
MG |
| Brazil nuts |
1 cup |
4 |
| soybeans |
1 cup |
2 |
Comments:
Copper levels are related to levels of zinc and vitamin C. Copper
levels are reduced if excessive amounts of zinc and vitamin C are
taken. If copper levels are too high, zinc and vitamin C levels
will drop. The consumption of high levels of fructose will significantly
lower copper levels.
