Copper

Copper: What is it?

• Copper is an essential trace element in the human body. It is required for growth, bone strength, immune function, heart function, brain development, cholesterol and glucose metabolism. Its daily requirement is typically met by the North American standard diet.

How does it work in the body?

• Copper is a cofactor for a group of enzymes called cuproenzymes which includes cytochrome c oxidase, lysyl oxidase, ferroxidase, dopamine β-hydroxylase, superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin, and tyrosinase.

What is it used for?

• Copper supplementation is used for copper deficiency, skin health, bone loss, heart health, immune function, and anxiety and depression.

Evidence for and against:

• Copper deficiency: Copper deficiency can present as:

  • Anemia

  • Heart disease

  • Neutropenia

  • Myelopathy

  • Peripheral neuropathy

  • Myelodysplasia-like effects

• Deficiency is typically only seen when on parenteral nutrition.

• Copper supplementation in the setting of deficiency has been shown to stimulate bone formation and reduce bone abnormalities in infants and elderly.

• It was also shown to improve heart function in deficient individuals.

• Skin:

  • Copper supplementation has been shown to increase collagen and elastin production for strength and elasticity of skin, respectively.

  • Copper also showed antimicrobial properties in the setting of athlete's foot in a study consisting of 56 subjects.

  • Copper prevented skin infections and ulcer wounds in long-standing diabetics.

• Bone loss:

  • Through its action as a cofactor for various enzymes

  • Copper has a vital role in the formation of bone.

  • In a study consisting of 73 women, Copper was shown to significantly reduce the loss of vertebral trabecular bone mineral density over the course of 2 years.

• There have been further studies that suggest Copper supplementation may have a role in heart health, immune function, and anxiety and depression but larger clinical studies involving humans would need to be conducted to support these claims.

Dosage:

• The recommended daily copper intake for children: 0.3-0.9 mg/day, adults: 0.9 mg/day, and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers: 1-1.3 mg/day.

• The safe upper limit for copper supplementation is 10 mg/day.

Precautions/side effects:

• Copper toxicity: Copper toxicity is normally seen with ingestion of more than 1 g of copper, and it can lead to erosive gastropathy, intravascular hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, hepatitis, acute kidney injury, and rhabdomyolysis.

• Chronic copper toxicity is typically seen in those with inherited disorders of copper metabolism such as Wilson's disease or idiopathic copper toxicosis, supplementation should not be used in these individuals.

• Chronically elevated copper levels may be linked to oxidative damage, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes.

Interactions:

• Increased absorption: Things shown to increase copper absorption include high protein diet and amino acids glycine, L-tryptophan, and L-methionine.

• Decreased absorption: Copper absorption has been shown to be reduced with amino acids L-histidine and L-cystine, zinc, iron, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber.