Health Information On Copper

Crab and lobster are more than perennial summer favorites - they are also a good dietary source of copper. Yes, the stuff of pennies is crucial for life - the metal copper is an important helper to many cellular enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), which sops up dangerous "free radicals" that accumulate inside cells. Defects in SOD have been linked to some inherited forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

In an important advance in understanding the molecular underpinnings of this disease, scientists supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) have deciphered the three-dimensional structure of a yeast copper "chaperone" protein, a molecule that transports copper to the SOD enzyme. Although copper is necessary for life, it is a potentially toxic "heavy metal" that - in the wrong cellular locale - can damage other molecules, and in some cases can even cause disease. As the name suggests, the copper chaperone protein protects copper from unwanted cellular interactions and safely delivers it to its destination.

Recently, in the April 30, 1999 issue of the journal Science, Drs. Culotta and O'Halloran reported that this second chaperone protein directly supplies a molecule of copper to SOD and showed how the chaperone is a necessary ingredient for the free radical-destroying protein's activity.

Copper is a trace mineral that is part of several enzymes and proteins that are essential for adequate use of iron by the body. While frank hypocupremia is rarely seen in the US population, lower copper intake has been implicated with other variables such as heightened cholesterol in some studies as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Copper toxicity is rare in the US population. Due to the difficulty in measurement of copper status, the many factors such as zinc, carbohydrate and vitamin C intake that affect copper bioavailability, and the inability at that time to establish a requirement for copper, the Subcommittee on the Tenth Edition of the RDAs could not establish an RDA for copper and instead recommended a safe and adequate range of copper intake. While copper is viewed as a nutrient that is thus under effective homeostatic control in humans, adequate dietary supplementation with copper in relation to total parental nutrition, and in relation to nutrient-nutrient, hormone-nutrient and nutrient-pharmaceutical interactions remain important areas for study.

Copper is an essential trace element that may cause intoxication if intake becomes excessive. Young children are at risk of intoxication because of high consumption of drinking water and immature copper metabolism.

Copper supplements are used to prevent or treat copper deficiency.

For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods. If you think that you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.

Copper is found in various foods, including organ meats (especially liver), seafoods, beans, nuts, and whole-grains. Additional copper can come from drinking water from copper pipes, using copper cookware, and eating farm products sprayed with copper-containing chemicals. Copper may be decreased in foods that have high acid content and are stored in tin cans for a long time.

The body needs copper for normal growth and health. For patients who are unable to get enough copper in their regular diet or who have a need for more copper, copper supplements may be necessary. They are generally taken by mouth but some patients may have to receive them by injection. Copper is needed to help your body use iron. It is also important for nerve function, bone growth, and to help your body use sugar.

Lack of copper may lead to anemia and osteoporosis (weak bones).

Some conditions may increase your need for copper. These include:

  • Burns
  • Diarrhea
  • Intestine disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Pancreas disease
  • Stomach removal
  • Stress, continuing

In addition, premature infants may need additional copper.

Increased need for copper should be determined by your health care professional.

Claims that copper supplements are effective in the treatment of arthritis or skin conditions have not been proven. Use of copper supplements to cause vomiting has caused death and should be avoided.

Menkes disease

Menkes disease is a progressive, genetic, neurodegenerative disorder of copper metabolism, beginning before birth. It is characterized by seizures, psychomotor deterioration, failure to thrive, temperature instability (hypothermia), and strikingly peculiar hair. Copper accumulates in excessive amounts in the liver and is deficient in most other tissues of the body, causing structural changes in the hair, brain, bones, liver, and arteries. The characteristic kinky hair is stubby, tangled, sparse, or steely and is easily broken. It is often white, ivory, or gray in color. Brain abnormalities such as a blood clot at the base of the brain (subdural hematoma) and/or rupture or thrombosis of arteries in the brain may occur. Weakened bones (osteoporosis) may result in fractures. Menkes disease primarily affects males. Affected infants may be born prematurely. In some cases, early symptoms may resolve, and normal or slightly slowed development may proceed for 2 to 3 months. At approximately three months of age, severe, developmental delay, loss of early development skills, and convulsions may occur.

Early treatment with intravenous or oral copper supplements may be of some benefit. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

The prognosis for individuals with Menkes disease is poor. Most affected persons die within the first decade of life.

Before Using This Dietary Supplement

If you are taking this dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For copper supplements, the following should be considered:

  • Allergies - Tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
  • Pregnancy - It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamins and minerals when you become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amount of vitamins and minerals throughout your pregnancy. The healthy growth and development of the fetus depend on a steady supply of nutrients from the mother. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement in pregnancy may be harmful to the mother and/or fetus and should be avoided.
  • Breast-feeding - It is important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins and minerals so that your baby will also get the vitamins and minerals needed to grow properly. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement while breast-feeding may be harmful to the mother and/or baby and should be avoided.
  • Children - Problems in children have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
  • Older adults - Problems in older adults have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
  • Medicines or other dietary supplements - Although certain medicines or dietary supplements should not be used together at all, in other cases they may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your health care professional may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking copper supplements, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
    • Penicillamine or
    • Trientine or
    • Zinc supplements (taken by mouth) - Use with copper supplements may decrease the amount of copper that gets into the body; copper supplements should be taken at least 2 hours after penicillamine, trientine, or zinc supplements
  • Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of copper supplements. Make sure you tell your health care professional if you have any other medical problems, especially:
    • Biliary disease or Liver disease - Taking copper supplements may cause high blood levels of copper, and dosage for copper may have to be changed
    • Wilson's disease (too much copper in the body) - Copper supplements may make this condition worse

The amount of copper needed to meet normal daily recommended intakes will be different for different individuals. The following information includes only the average amounts of copper.

For oral dosage form (tablets); To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes:

  • Adult and teenage males - 1.5 to 2.5 milligrams (mg) per day.
  • Adult and teenage females - 1.5 to 3 mg per day.
  • Children 7 to 10 years of age - 1 to 2 mg per day.
  • Children 4 to 6 years of age - 1 to 1.5 mg per day.
  • Children birth to 3 years of age - 0.4 to 1 mg per day.

To treat deficiency:

  • Adults, teenagers, and children - Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on the severity of deficiency.
  • Alison Davis, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Heavy Metal Research is Music to Biologists' Ears
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine, Copper Supplements (Systemic)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, MENKES DISEASE

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