The Importance of Copper for The Body
symptoms of copper deficiency:
Copper is an important trace mineral for the body. The human body contains approximately 1-2 grams of copper. In a study of US adults, more than 60% of the people had less than optimal levels of serum copper.
Symptoms or lack thereof can be caused by this or other nutritional deficiencies. Although symptoms of copper deficiency are not always easy to recognize. That’s why it is important to make sure you get enough copper in your diet.
Symptoms of deficiency can be:
– dizziness
– anemia (iron deficiency)
– low white blood cell count (immune function)
– bone malformation (magnesium deficiency) problems with the nervous system
– joint pain and osteoporosis.
A typical symptom of copper deficiency is greenish skin discoloration, especially visible on the nose and around the eyes. This condition is known as sallowness, which shows up precisely because it loses more or less copper from hemoglobin cells in blood plasma. If you have a large amount of green pigment is called bronze skin and this may be a sign of increased copper levels.
Symptoms of lack:
Chronic Symptoms:
– Fatigue and weakness are some of the most common symptoms found in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). There are many reasons for this, but often it’s because they have a chronic copper deficiency. In addition, those with CFS often have low tissue levels of iron, calcium, and magnesium as well as high heart rates and poor circulation.
Physical Symptoms:
Fatigue or tiredness is one of the most obvious symptoms of a lack of copper in the body. This is because it is essential for energy production. In addition, those with a chronic lack of copper also often have low tissue levels of iron, calcium, and magnesium as well as high heart rates and poor circulation.
Another physical symptom is premature graying or loss of pigment from the hair. This occurs because it is necessary for the production of melanin that gives our hair its color. Also presented are joint pain and osteoporosis.
Mental Symptoms:
Those with a lack of copper are usually absent-minded, confused easily, have difficulty concentrating, short term memory loss, and even experience paranoia or delusions. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome also suffer from these symptoms. Often they do not realize that their health problems are due to low tissue levels of copper.
In addition to the above symptoms, magnesium deficiency is very common in people who have a lack of copper. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can be broken down into two categories: mental and physical. These include insomnia, anxiety, stress, muscle tremors and cramps, muscle weakness and spasms as well as irritability or chronic fatigue.
Copper versus zinc:
Zinc is a mineral that has a strong relationship with the body. Copper and zinc work together in various ways to maintain good health, but they have an antagonistic relationship with each other. If you have high levels of copper, your level of zinc will tend to below. In fact, if you have a high level of copper, typically your zinc levels will be below normal.
Those with a health problem such as CFS may have even higher than normal copper and lower than normal zinc. High levels of copper can cause symptoms such as anxiety and chronic fatigue that mimic those seen in Lyme disease or other illnesses that affect the brain and nervous system.
On the other hand, a lack of zinc can cause symptoms such as fatigue and weakness that mimic those seen in Lyme disease or other illnesses. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome often have high levels of copper and low levels of zinc. In addition, they often have high levels of iron and low levels of magnesium.
Another mineral with which copper is antagonistic is manganese. This means that if you have a lot of copper, typically your manganese levels will be below. If you have a lack of copper, typically your manganese levels will be high. Those with Lyme disease often have low levels of copper and very high levels of manganese.
The most important mineral in terms of reducing the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome or Lyme disease is zinc. Supplementing with copper can make these symptoms worse, but supplementing with the right form of zinc will significantly improve all symptoms.
Symptoms caused by excess copper:
– The main symptoms associated with high levels of copper are similar to those seen in chronic fatigue and Lyme disease including anxiety, depression, irrational anger or rage, neuroticism, mood swings, confusion, dizziness, and high heart rate.
Symptoms caused by a lack of copper:
The main symptoms associated with low levels of copper are similar to those seen in chronic fatigue syndrome including tiredness/fatigue, muscle weakness or soreness, joint pain, feeling cold, feelings of being chilled, constipation, loss of sex drive, confusion, depression, heart palpitations/heart arrhythmias, and memory problems.
Important: Copper toxicity is extremely rare with the average person only absorbing about 10% of their daily intake from food or water. This means that most people have a good chance of having too little copper rather than too much.
The hypothalamus gland in the brain produces a hormone called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH stimulates the release of another hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland. TSH influences the production and release of T3 (the active form of thyroid hormone) from the thyroid gland.
The hypothalamus also produces a hormone called Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH). CRH stimulates the pituitary gland to release another hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH has a strong influence on cortisol secretion from the adrenal glands. High levels of cortisol are associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Iron, magnesium, and zinc are also critical for regulating mood swings. People with Lyme disease can be very emotional with high levels of irritability or rage. It is common to see patients that have both Lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. When their symptoms are under control, they become more stable emotionally.
Many Lyme patients have a combination of high levels of iron and low levels of magnesium. Supplementing with the right form of both is critical for improving symptoms associated with these mineral imbalances including mood swings, lack of sleep, anxiety, fatigue, muscle pain, etc.
A study found that those with Lyme disease are more likely to have low levels of the trace minerals iron, zinc, and copper. The study also found that Lyme patients were very deficient in vitamin B12 with 92% having a level less than 200 pg/ml. Supplementing with the right form of vitamin B12 can help improve symptoms such as fatigue and muscle pain among others.
Functions of copper in the body:
copper is a metal element that is considered to be beneficial and essential for the body. The amount of copper in the human body is about 100 mg and can be found in all tissues, but mainly it accumulates in the heart, liver, and brain tissue. Serious deficiencies of this element are not observed, because high doses of zinc inhibit its absorption.
The human body is able to absorb copper for up to 20-30%. The average adult needs daily about 700 micrograms of this metal, but it varies depending on the individual’s weight. This element plays an important role in the formation of blood cells and their proper functioning of various systems.
1. Formation of red blood cells. Iron is an important raw material for the formation of hemoglobin, found in red blood cells. For proper assimilation he needs copper.
2. Blood vessels and capillaries are strengthened due to copper. It is known that the elasticity of blood vessels depends on their wall thickness, which is ensured by this element. In addition, copper stimulates the production of collagen in blood vessels.
3. Formation and use of neurotransmitters in the brain. This metal is an important component for the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin – a monoamine neurotransmitter, which regulates mood and psychological state.
4. Memory function. Copper has a beneficial effect on both cognitive and physical function because it stimulates brain tissue. It also has a positive effect on attention, learning ability, and memory.
5. The formation of bone tissue. This metal is important for the normal absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the body, which affects the structure and strength of bones. Copper deficiency causes problems with bone mineralization.
6. The proper function of the thyroid gland is provided by this element, which ensures the work of hormones produced by it. In addition, copper participates in cholesterol synthesis and fatty acid metabolism. It protects cells from lipid peroxidation caused by free radicals in the body.
7. Iron metabolism depends on this metal because it has a positive effect on the absorption of iron from food and its storage in the body.
8. Energy production. Copper is an important element for energy production through ATP synthesis. For the proper function of enzymes necessary for this process, copper is needed in certain quantities and ratios to other elements such as zinc and magnesium.
9. This metal is part of the antioxidant system in the body, which prevents cell damage from free radicals. In addition, copper works together with vitamin C and selenium for this purpose.
10. Collagen synthesis is regulated by using this metal. It is not only involved in bone formation or vascular wall thickening but also has a positive effect on skin condition, which is very important for young and mature people (especially after 50 years).
11. Normal immune function and response of the body to inflammation depend on copper. This element participates in various processes that regulate immunity, such as phagocytosis, cellular defense mechanisms, and the production of antibodies.
12. Copper is necessary for the correct activity of the digestive system and absorption of iron, as well as for the normal production of bile.
13. Normal sexual function and fertility are impossible without this element. It has a beneficial effect on sperm morphology and motility, libido, and erectile function in men, so it is important to take care of its proper intake of food.
14. Formation of melanin, which is responsible for skin color.
15. The synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain depends on this metal. Its deficiency affects mood and how a person feels stress, so it’s important to have a proper balance with other elements such as zinc, calcium, and magnesium.