Copper is an important trace element. It is essential for normal cell growth, strong bones, good immunity and cardiovascular health. However, too much copper in the body can be toxic. Read this article to learn more about the health benefits of copper, sources of this trace mineral, the harmful effects of high copper levels, and ways to change your copper absorption.
The article is based on the findings of 115 scientific studies
The article quotes authors such as:
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technologies, University of Chile, Santiago
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Internal Medicine, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA
Please note that the letters in brackets (1, 2, 3, etc.) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific studies. You can follow these links and read the original source of information for the article.
The role of copper in the body
Copper (Cu) is an important trace element in the human body. It is essential for cell growth, strong bones, good immune function, as well as heart function and brain development. (, )
Copper is an integral part (cofactor) of a group of enzymes called cuproenzymes (metalloenzymes containing one or more copper atoms) (), which are important for :
- Energy production in the cell (cytochrome C oxidase) ()
- Formation of strong and flexible connective tissue (lysyl oxidase) ()
- Iron metabolism (multiple copper oxidases, ferroxidases) ()
- Normal function of the brain and nervous system (dopamine β-hydroxylase, cytochrome C oxidase) ()
- Antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin) ()
- Formation of melanin pigment (tyrosinase) ()
Due to its strong antimicrobial properties , copper is also used as a biocide in agriculture, wood preservation, paints and hospital disinfection. (,,, )
General information about copper.
Copper is a polyvalent metal of group XI of the periodic table. The most stable oxidation state of copper is 2+, then 1+. Less commonly, copper compounds can be obtained with oxidation states of 3+, 4+ and 5+.
It is believed that this metal received its Latin name (Cuprum) thanks to the island of Cyprus, where copper mines were located more than 5,000 years ago and local residents mastered the technology of processing copper ore into various products. However, archaeologists have encountered copper products from a much later period. Thus, a copper pendant dating back to 8700 BC was found in Iraq. Consequently, humanity has been using copper for at least 10,000 years.
Despite this, doctors became interested in its effect on the human body only at the end of the 18th century. In 1893, a scientist from Switzerland, K. Negel, announced the antiseptic properties of copper. After this, a discovery was made about the decisive role of copper in the metabolism of all living organisms on the planet and it was classified as an important trace element.
Of the 100-150 mg (according to some sources - 250 mg) of copper distributed in the human body, 10% is in liver cells. The human body has a constant need for copper, because... cannot reuse it. Therefore, a person must receive 2-3 mg of copper every day with food.
The greatest quantities of this element are contained in such products as:
- nuts (500-1450 mcg),
- pasta (650-700 mcg),
- seafood (500-900 mcg),
- cereals (470-530 mcg)
- cattle liver (3000-3800 mcg).
However, it is not recommended to consume dishes rich in copper and dairy products at the same meal, because copper is poorly absorbed in the presence of casein. It is for this reason that children at an early age are especially at risk of developing copper deficiency, since the main product of their diet is milk.
Copper: Health Benefits
Copper deficiency
Oral or intravenous copper is effective in treating copper deficiency, which can cause anemia, heart disease, bone deformities, etc. Copper deficiency is rare and is usually limited to sick people receiving parenteral (intravenous) nutrition. (, )
Copper supplements help treat bone abnormalities and stimulate bone formation in children with copper deficiency and in elderly patients. (, )
The effect of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) on pregnant women. High amounts of copper can lead to Wilson's disease and Fenton's reaction, and may also contribute to premature birth, low birth weight, and gestational diabetes. Copper deficiency can lead to hypochromic anemia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), spontaneous labor and spontaneous abortion. (source)
The trace mineral improves heart function and may reverse enlarged heart syndrome caused by copper deficiency. (,,,,,)
Skin health
Copper increases the production of collagen (which provides strength and structure) and elastin (which provides elasticity and firmness to the skin). (, )
Copper-impregnated socks, due to their antimicrobial and antifungal properties, were effective against Tinea pedis infections on the feet of athletes in a study of 56 patients. ()
Copper-impregnated socks can also be used to prevent skin infections of cracks, cuts and wounds, which often lead to intractable ulcers in diabetics. ()
According to two studies involving a total of 118 volunteers, sleeping on pillowcases containing copper oxide can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and cause an overall improvement in the appearance of the skin. (, )
A copper supplement (1-4 tablets daily for 8 weeks) reduced inflammation and improved skin appearance in 257 patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris. However, this study lacked a control group, making the results questionable. ()
Copper used in wound dressings can help improve wound healing by increasing skin regeneration and the formation of new blood vessels. In addition, this trace element has powerful antimicrobial properties, which reduces the risk of wound infection. (, )
Various copper oxide skin products are non-irritating and safe to use on both intact and damaged skin. ()
Bone Density
Copper plays an important role in the formation of bone tissue. () It is a cofactor for the enzyme lysyl oxidase, which is necessary for the formation of strong bones. (, )
In one experiment, 73 menopausal women received a copper supplement of 3 mg/day for 2 years. They experienced slower loss of bone mineral , which typically accompanies menopause. ()
Additionally, a study of 59 postmenopausal women found that taking a combination of supplemental calcium and micronutrients, including copper, may slow bone loss. However, the contribution of copper to these effects is unclear. ()
What influences the rate and degree of development of osteoporosis
Copper supplementation reverses bone abnormalities in children with copper deficiency. ()
In another study of 10 elderly patients with copper deficiency, supplementation improved overall copper status and markers of bone resorption and formation . ()
Insufficient evidence
There is no reliable clinical evidence to support the use of copper supplements for any of the conditions described in this section. The following is a summary of current animal, cell, or low quality clinical studies. You should not interpret them as endorsing any health benefits.
Cardiovascular Health
Copper is essential for the strength and integrity of heart cells and blood vessels. The addition of this microelement improves altered heart function and promotes regression of heart enlargement caused by its deficiency. (,,,,,)
In a study of 16 healthy young women, copper supplementation (6 mg/day for 4 weeks) resulted in a 30% reduction in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), potentially reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. However, this micronutrient did not have a clear effect on other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. (, )
In rats, copper supplementation reduced the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood, while slightly increasing “good” HDL cholesterol. () A clinical study confirmed these data in 73 patients, of whom 28 had copper deficiency. ()
Scientists observed the potential of copper supplements to prevent atherosclerosis in one study on rabbits. ()
Immunity
In a study of 33 volunteers, copper supplementation increased secretion of the cytokine IL-2, but only in people with normal-low levels of ceruloplasmin (the main copper-containing protein). The supplement had no effect on levels of the inflammation-causing cytokine TNF-alpha. ()
Interestingly, workers exposed to copper salts did not develop cholera during cholera epidemics in the 19th century. ()
Adequate copper supplementation rapidly restores the number and function of lymphocytes in copper-deficient rats. ()
Anxiety and depression
Copper supplementation during pregnancy (at a dose of 1 g/day) significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in a study of 238 pregnant women. But further study is needed. ()
On the other hand, some patients with depression have higher blood copper levels . (, )
Elevated levels of this trace element are also associated with depression in shift nurses and with postpartum depression. (, )
Future research should shed more light on the controversial effects of copper on mental health.
Alzheimer's disease
Copper supplements had no beneficial effects on cognitive function in a study of 68 patients with Alzheimer's disease. ()
Research has shown a potential beneficial role for copper in treating , but not preventing, Alzheimer's disease . ()
Zinc and copper dysregulation in Alzheimer's disease (source)
According to a meta-analysis of 27 clinical studies (more than 3,500 patients), people with Alzheimer's disease have significantly higher levels of copper in the blood compared to healthy people. ()
Medicinal copper - beneficial properties of copper
The adult human body contains about 100 mg of copper, concentrated mainly in proteins; only the content of iron and zinc is higher. The daily human requirement for copper is about 3–5 mg. Copper deficiency results in anemia, but excess copper is also dangerous to health.
People have known about the healing properties of copper for a very long time. In ancient India, it was used to treat diseases of the skin and eyes. Recipes for various “copper medicines” were in the arsenal of doctors all over the world. In Ancient Greece they knew that applying copper to the site of a bruise prevents bruising, copper treats swelling, and when treating ulcers, copper plates were placed on them. In Tibetan medicine, copper has long been used as part of multicomponent medicines (in particular, for inflammatory diseases of the lungs and liver); copper dries pus, blood, and treats fever. Copper sulfate rejects dead skin, removes cataracts, and destroys screens (benign tumors). Many women with fibroids and breast tumors were helped by applying copper coins. In addition, copper ore was added to drugs to prevent pregnancy.
Doctors of the Ancient East treated bone fractures with red copper powder, which was taken orally and washed down with water or milk. In Russia they also used copper for treatment. It was used to treat radiculitis, polyarthritis, bruises and broken bones, epilepsy and other diseases, even cholera. It was noted that during the cholera years, workers at copper foundries, as well as those living near copper warehouses, did not suffer from cholera. Barge haulers on the Volga, in order to avoid getting cholera, put copper coins under their heels and wore copper crosses. Copper salts formed in the body are extremely toxic to fungi, measles bacteria, cholera, and some viruses. The bacteriological effect of copper is widely used to sterilize water and treat inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane of the mouth and eyes.
Copper relieves inflammation, soothes pain, accelerates the maturation of abscesses, helps avoid infectious diseases, and stimulates the body's defenses. Upon contact with skin, it has a local bactericidal effect. Copper heals quickly. If the temperature is high in the evening due to pneumonia, then after applying copper coins the temperature will normalize by the morning. Copper has a good effect on the cardiovascular system: if the heart hurts, then coins are placed in the subclavian fossa. As a result of bruised legs, thrombophlebitis often occurs. To warn him, copper coins are placed in a shoe, under a stocking.
Copper coins help with hemorrhoids, otitis, sinusitis, tracheobronchitis. When using copper, the nervous system calms down and insomnia disappears. Copper reduces headaches if applied to sore spots for 15–20 minutes.
It has been noticed that the effect is higher when the plate is attracted by the skin, which acquires a greenish color under the application site. In everyday life, copper can be applied to a sore spot and simply bandaged. However, copper plates that are too large can cause poisoning. In the form of a simple substance, copper has a characteristic reddish color. Copper is a soft and ductile metal. Redox transformations of copper are involved in various biochemical processes in the plant and animal world. The largest amounts of copper are found in the bodies of octopuses, oysters and other shellfish. In their blood it plays the same role as iron in the blood of other animals. As part of the hemocyanin protein, it is involved in oxygen transport. Unoxidized hemocyanin is colorless, but in the oxidized state it acquires a bluish-blue color. Therefore, it is not for nothing that they say that octopuses have blue blood.
Source: e-book “Your amulets: stones and minerals”
Copper: harmful excess
Reasons for rising copper levels
- Inflammation ()
- Infections (tuberculosis, leprosy, viral hepatitis, pneumonia, chicken pox) (, )
- Hematological diseases (iron deficiency anemia, aplastic and pernicious anemia, sickle cell anemia, beta thalassemia) (, )
- Diabetes ()
- Diseases of the heart and blood vessels (, )
- Malignant diseases (acute and chronic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, breast cancer and lung cancer) (, , )
- Liver diseases (cirrhosis, hepatitis, biliary obstruction) (, )
- Contraception (use of oral contraceptives, copper intrauterine device) (, )
- Pregnancy ()
- Thiazide diuretics ()
Absorption and bioavailability of copper. Absorption and distribution of copper from the human gastrointestinal tract to peripheral tissues. (source)
Signs of Excess Copper
Severe toxicity
Severe toxicity occurs when copper compounds are taken, usually with suicidal intent or through accidental consumption of copper-contaminated food or water. Ingestion of more than 1 g of copper may result in such toxicity. However, this is only an approximate toxicity threshold and depends on individual factors. ()
Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and muscle pain. More serious signs of toxicity include severe liver and kidney damage, hemolytic anemia, massive intestinal bleeding, and even death. (,, )
Chronic toxicity
Long-term copper toxicity is not common in patients who do not have hereditary metabolic disorders of this trace element.
Long-term use of copper supplements at a dosage of 30-60 mg/day for 3 years caused severe liver disease. ()
Various copper supplements should not be used by people with genetic disorders that affect copper metabolism:
- Wilson's disease
- Idiopathic copper toxicosis ()
- Syndromes of childhood liver cirrhosis (, )
Copper supplementation in adequate doses is likely safe for healthy people, including children and pregnant women. Make sure you do not exceed the safe upper limit of 10 mg/day . ()
Negative effects of copper on diseases
Copper levels are a marker of antioxidant status and overall health. A low or high level does not necessarily indicate a problem unless there are any symptoms or if your doctor tells you not to worry about it.
Elevated copper levels lead to oxidative stress and increased inflammation, which increases the risk of various diseases. (source)
Oxidative cell damage
Elevated copper levels can increase the production of free radicals , which leads to damage to cells and tissues in the body. (, )
Alzheimer's disease
Copper is thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease , as rising levels of this trace element tend to precede symptoms of the disease in some, but not all patients. ()
Typically, patients with Alzheimer's disease have higher concentrations of copper in the blood or brain. (,,, )
Copper appears to be associated with worsening symptoms of Alzheimer's disease , and reducing its intake from food and supplements may help older adults with the disease. (,, )
One study found that copper is a component of beta-amyloid plaques that are found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. ()
Parkinson's disease
Clinical studies have shown that long-term exposure to copper and manganese increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. ()
Free copper in the blood has the ability to produce free radicals and increase the formation of Lewy bodies, a feature of Parkinson's disease. ()
Non-enzymatic and enzymatic
antioxidants . The figure shows all the antioxidant molecules that have been reported to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic diseases.(source)
Cardiovascular diseases
Preliminary research suggests that excess copper and ceruloplasmin may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. (, )
Copper levels in the blood and in the walls of blood vessels are elevated in some people with atherosclerosis. In addition, copper levels increase with the severity of atherosclerosis. (, )
Diabetes
Blood copper levels are significantly elevated in some people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. () Copper is involved in the production of free radicals, which play an important role in the development of diabetic complications. (, )
Sources of copper
Food
Copper-rich foods: (, )
- Liver (especially veal, lamb, beef)
- Seafood (oysters, squid, lobster, crab)
- Fruits and vegetables (dark leafy vegetables, potatoes, mushrooms, avocados, dried fruits)
- Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin)
- Nuts (cashews, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts),
- Beans (chickpeas, soybeans, adzuki)
- Goat cheese
- Soy products (tofu, tempeh, soy milk, soy powder)
- Chocolate, cocoa
- Wheat bran, cereals and whole grain products
Copper is also found in drinking water from copper pipes. The US Environmental Protection Agency allows copper levels in human drinking water of up to 1.3 mg/l. (, )
Recommended Dietary Allowances
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Copper : (100)
- Children – 0.3-0.9 mg/day (depending on age)
- Adults – 0.9 mg/day
- Pregnant and lactating women – 1-1.3 mg/day
The average dietary copper intake in the United States is approximately 1.0–1.6 mg/day. The tolerable upper intake level for copper that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects in almost all adults is 10 mg/day. (100)
Copper supplements
A number of such additives are available in the form of oxides, chlorides, gluconates, sulfates and amino acid chelates. (101) Although copper is important for health, such supplements are not needed by most healthy people . (102)
Copper supplements may be indicated for the prevention and treatment of copper deficiency and copper deficiency anemia. (103)
Health risks from excess copper.
Chronic exposure to large amounts of copper can lead to liver damage and gastrointestinal problems (abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting).
Copper toxicity rarely occurs in healthy individuals who do not have an inherited defect in copper homeostasis. However, copper toxicity has been reported in people who frequently drink water with high levels of copper (fluid water occurs from stagnation in copper pipes, as well as copper alloys in water distribution systems and household plumbing, which allow copper to leach into the water).
The Environmental Protection Agency has set the upper limit for copper in public water supplies at 1.3 mg/L.
People with Wilson's disease, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, are at high risk of copper toxicity. Wilson's disease, caused by the ATP7B mutation, results in abnormally high tissue copper levels as a result of defective copper clearance. People with the disease may develop neurological impairment and liver damage, which can lead to cirrhosis. Patients may also develop acute hepatitis, hemolytic crisis, and liver failure. Lifelong copper chelation therapy or high-dose zinc may prevent permanent organ damage in these patients.
Upper limit (UL) intake of copper from food and supplements for healthy individuals based on levels associated with liver damage.
The UL does not apply to people taking supplemental copper under medical supervision.
Table. Tolerable upper level of copper consumption.
Breast milk, formula and food should be the only sources of copper for infants.
How to Reduce Copper Absorption
Zinc
Additional zinc intake increases metallothioneins - proteins that bind copper and prevent its absorption.
Copper deficiency has been reported in people consuming up to 600 mg of zinc daily or excessively using zinc-based dental adhesives. (107, 108, 109)
Iron
Copper increases intestinal absorption and utilization of iron, while iron may inhibit copper absorption. (110, 111) Adequate levels of copper in the blood are necessary for normal iron metabolism and red blood cell formation.
Carbohydrates
Copper absorption may depend on the type of carbohydrates consumed . In experiments on rats fed foods containing fructose , more pronounced signs of copper deficiency developed than rats fed glucose or starch . (113)
Cellulose
Insoluble dietary fiber may reduce copper absorption. (114)
Molybdenum
Excessive intake of molybdenum from food can form complexes with copper and cause copper deficiency. (115)
The information on this site has not been evaluated by any medical organization. We do not seek to diagnose or treat any disease. The information on the site is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your physician before acting on information from this site, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any medical condition.
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