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HWN Suggests

Copper – The Forgotten Nutrient

When we think of supplements we need to take and potential deficiencies we may have, most of us tend to refer to either vitamin D3, Fish oils, Magnesium or Calcium. But hardly anyone mentions the word copper, as the body uses only a small amount / day, as we’re told by various researchers, up to 900mcg or more (RDA) in our daily intake. Most of believe we can get copper from our diet and thus its easy to obtain, and that deficiencies in copper are not so relevant today.

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Featured

 Copper Destroys Viruses and Bacteria. Why Isn’t It Everywhere?

It could destroy norovirus, MRSA, virulent strains of E. coli, and coronaviruses—including the novel strain currently causing the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Copper — a Forgotten Nutrient Important for Health and Vitality

The absolute best sources of dietary copper are organ meats and shellfish. It has been postulated that vegetarians may be more susceptible to copper deficiency because they do not consume these foods. However, cocoa and some fruits and vegetables also contain some copper and one human study showed that consuming a vegetarian diet for 8 weeks did not lower copper status

 Copper: The Key Mineral For Emotional, Hormonal & Mental Health

Copper is a mineral that has had me fascinated for a long time now. It all started with me finding out that I’ve had Pyrrole disorder my whole entire life. It’s a condition I increasingly see in clinic with various outcomes, but primarily as a huge influence on mental health presenting with irritability, inability to cope with stress, anxiety, depresssion, ADHD, addictions and in extreme cases – schizophrenia and other mental health issues.

Articles of Interest

Aging: Diet High in Copper and Fats May Speed Decline

Large amounts of copper — from food like organ meats, shellfish, nuts and some vitamin supplements — may speed the mental decline of older people, but only when combined with a diet high in saturated and trans fats, a new study reports.

Are You Getting Enough Copper in Your Diet?

This essential mineral may play a role in osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and other conditions.

Copper – A crucial mineral for our health

Copper is one of the most important minerals for the connective tissue of our body. In fact, it plays an essential role in the development of the bones as well as the pigmentation of the hair and skin.

Copper: It's Not Just for Pennies

In the body, copper becomes a critical component of essential enzymes known as cuproenzymes. These cuproenzymes support numerous functions in the body including the generation and storage of cellular energy. Additionally, copper is important in the formation of our connective tissue...

Paging Doctor Copper: Metal Wins Fans in Health Care

Copper is used in everything from automobiles to air conditioners, but it has one property that makes it especially attractive for medical uses: It kills bacteria.

The Benefits of Copper Peptides for Skin, According to Dermatologists

Learn about the benefits of copper peptides for skin and how to incorporate them into your skin-care routine.

The Surprising Health Benefits of Copper

More than just for pipes and pots, it turns out copper has surprising health benefits as well.

Watch Out Bacteria: Copper Kills Germs

Well, it's a really remarkable metal and historically, our ancestors knew all about it. It's really pretty remarkable. The ancient Phoenicians, after battle, would sharpen their bronze swords into their wounds. And they knew that by doing that, they could actually prevent their loss of their limb from becoming infected after being wounded in battle.

What is copper and how much do I need?

Copper works closely with iron in the body. Bound to the protein ceruloplasmin, it functions to oxidize iron before transport to target sites, including where it can be inserted into hemoglobin.

What is copper?

Copper is a trace element and is a component of various enzymes that catalyse many different reactions in the body, including helping to produce red and white blood cells and triggering the release of iron to form haemoglobin (the substance that carries oxygen around the body).

Why Copper's the New Gold Standard in Anti-Aging

The only time you think about copper might be when you toss a handful of pennies into your change jar, but dermatologists say as a skin care ingredient, copper is worth its weight in gold.

Resources

Copper Alliance

Copper is an essential nutrient and, therefore, vital to the health of humans, animals and plants. Copper is needed for maintaining normal growth of the fetus during pregnancy, healthy brain functioning and repair of wounds and injuries.

Examine

Copper is an essential mineral for antioxidative enzymes in the human body. While vital, it appears to be sufficient in the human diet and water supply with little evidence concerning its usefulness as a supplement. Excess copper is involved in some cases of Alzheimer's.

Linus Pauling Institute

Copper is an essential cofactor for oxidation-reduction reactions involving copper-containing oxidases. Copper enzymes regulate various physiologic pathways, such as energy production, iron metabolism, connective tissue maturation, and neurotransmission.

NIH

Copper, an essential mineral, is naturally present in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement. It is a cofactor for several enzymes (known as “cuproenzymes”) involved in energy production, iron metabolism, neuropeptide activation, connective tissue synthesis, and neurotransmitter synthesis. One abundant cuproenzyme is ceruloplasmin (CP), which plays a role in iron metabolism and carries more than 95% of the total copper in healthy human plasma

The Nutrition Source

Copper is a naturally occurring metal found in soil, water, and rocks. Nutritionally, it is an essential trace mineral found in some foods and in supplements. It works to assist various enzymes that produce energy for the body, break down and absorb iron, and build red blood cells, collagen, connective tissue, and brain neurotransmitters.