| Copper is classified as
an essential mineral. If one's body does not acquire a sufficient amount of
copper, hemoglobin production is decreased and copper anemia can result. Various
enzyme reactions require copper as well. In your body, the liver and brain
contain the largest amounts of copper. Copper imbalances can produce
various symptoms, inefficient utilization of iron and protein,
diarrhea, high cholesterol, thyroid problems, stunted growth, mental and
emotional problems.
Nutritional copper is believed to be beneficial in helping
overcome chronic inflammation, gray hair, cancer, parasites, arthritis,
skin wrinkles and joint problems such as arthritis, bursitis and rheumatism.
Studies have been published that further establish the negative effects of
copper deficiency in humans. Copper is of vital importance for many
reasons: protects us from cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, free
radicals, and cancer. Copper is also vital for keeping our skin, blood vessels
and connective tissue supple and elastic. These well-documented findings
came as a surprise to many who had been misled to believe that copper should be
avoided because it is toxic and can generate free radicals.
Not only is copper relatively non-toxic, but a deficiency of copper raises
free-radical activity in our bodies by lowering the activity of many of
our endogenous antioxidant peptides like superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin,
and glutathione peroxidase. Indeed a deficiency of copper that increases an
animal's damage from free radicals and increases its susceptibility to
cancer. Most of us do not consume even 50% of the recommended 2-3 milligrams of
copper daily, research showing a negative effect of both zinc and ascorbic acid
supplements on copper status was alarming for supplement users. Chronic copper
deficiency results in anemia, leukopenia, and skeletal demineralization,
subclinical copper deficiency in adult animals is hard to detect and can cause
instability in heart rhythm, hyperlipidemia, thrombotic heart disease, and
breakdown of vascular tissue. Benefits of good copper nutrition is obvious,
especially for those people consuming supplements of dietary copper antagonists
like zinc and ascorbic acid.
Some companies manufacture multivitamin or mineral products that contain little
or no copper (and worse with high doses of vitamin C & Zinc), and do not
worry about the possible consequences. Remember the fundamental importance of
adequate copper in good nutrition. Because copper supplements are
inexpensive, its importance has generally been overlooked. If copper were
a high-priced nutrient it would have many vocal supporters pointing to its
vital importance and remarkable health-promoting properties.
Copper is also known as:
copper sulfate, copper picolinate, copper gluconate
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