Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD
What does copper do for you?
Copper is a mineral with many functions. Here are some of them. Copper aids in the:
*formation of bone, hemoglobin and red blood cells
*formation of elastin in concert with zinc and vitamin C
*healing process, energy production, hair and skin coloring and taste sensitivity
*maintenance of healthy nerves and joints
*formation of collagen, the "glue" that holds bones, skin and connective tissue together
*absorption of iron
What are signs of copper deficiency or imbalance?
* osteoporosis
* anemia
* baldness
* diarrhea
* fatigue and weakness
* impaired breathing
* skin sores
* infection (lack of copper impairs the ability of white blood cells to fight off infection)
* stunted growth
* in babies, the structure of nerve, bone and lung tissue can be impaired if they are fed soy milk
* either excessively high or excessively low copper levels can be a result of oral contraceptive use
* development of anorexia nervosa
Can you get too much copper?
Yes. Signs of too much copper include:
* PMS
* high blood pressure
* kidney disease
* sickle cell anemia
* autism
* behavioral problems
* childhood hyperactivity
* hallucinations and paranoid schizophrenia
* depression
* irritability
* nausea & vomiting
* nervousness
* joint & muscle pain
* insomnia
* mood swings
* stuttering
* senile dementia
How does copper toxicity occur?
If you have or use too much of any of these you could have a toxicity:
* beer
* cooking with copper cookware
* copper plumbing
* insecticides
* Pasteurized milk
* tap water
* swimming pool chemicals
* permanent wave solutions
* various foods
How can you tell if you have copper toxicity?
Copper levels can be determined through blood tests, urine samples and hair analysis.
Note: during illness, copper is released from the tissues into the blood to promote tissue repair; high serum copper readings during illness should not be taken to mean that copper is a cause of the illness.
What can you do to reduce the chance of copper toxicity?
* Have your drinking water tested or only drink steam-distilled water; if this is not possible, let the water run for 2 minutes to clear some impurities.
* Increase your intake of sulfur foods: eggs, onions and garlic. They help rid your body of copper, as can pectin, found in apples.
* Avoid taking a multimineral or multivitamin that contains copper
* Increasing your intake of zinc and manganese, either through diet or supplements, increases the elimination of copper and helps return the level to normal
This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult your health care practitioner.
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