Copper deficiency can be very dangerous and one of the common signs of this deficiency is an anemia that is unresponsive to iron therapy but can be corrected by iron supplements. Supplements will play a very important role with this deficiency. A deficiency of this nutrient may also result in a much lower than normal number of white cells, a condition that can lead to a increased susceptibility to infection. In the body, copper shifts between the cuprous (Cul+) and the cupric (Cu2+) forms, although the majority of the body’s copper is in the Cu2+ form.
The ability of this nutrient to easily accept and donate electrons explains its important role in the oxidation reduction reactions(redox), and in the scavenging of free radicals. These oxidation reactions have a lot of similarities to acid based reactions, as redox reactions are basically a family of reactions connected with the transfer of electrons between species. They are a matched set as you can not have a oxidation reaction without reduction reactions happening at the same time.
Simply put, oxidation reactions refers to a loss of electrons while reduction refers to a gain. Each is referred to as a half-reaction, simply because the two need each other to formulate a whole reaction. Hippocrates is said to have prescribed this nutrient and similar compounds to treat diseases as early as 400 B.C. and scientists are still uncovering new information regarding the functions of it in the human body.
This nutrient is also critical as a functional component of a number of essential enzymes known as cupro enzymes. The copper dependent enzyme, cytochrome c oxidase, play a critical role in cellular energy production. By catalyzing the reduction of molecular oxygen (o2) to water (H2O), cytochrome c oxidase generates an electric gradient used by the mitochondria to create energy-storing and vital molecules.
This nutrient also helps in the process of cross linking collagen and elastin, which is essential for the formation of strong and flexible connective tissue. Elastin is the protein in numerous connective tissues, giving them an elastic effect. It is extremely important in your arteries, and also helps your skin to return back to its normal self when pinched.
This nutrient also plays a role as an anti-oxidant. Super-oxide dismutase (SOD) functions as an antioxidant by catalyzing the conversion of super-oxide radicals (free radicals) to hydrogen peroxide, which can subsequently be reduced to water by other antioxidant enzymes.
An adequate copper nutritional status appears to be necessary for normal iron metabolism and red blood cell formation. “Anemia” is a clinical sign of deficiency of this nutrient, and iron has been found to accumulate in the livers of copper deficient animals, indicating that it is required for iron transport to the bone marrow for red blood cell formation.
Clinically evident or “frank copper deficiency” is relatively uncommon. Serum levels of this nutrient and may fall to 30% of normal in cases of severe deficiency. One of the most common clinical signs of deficiency is an anemia that is unresponsive to iron therapy but corrected by copper supplements. Cow’s milk is relatively low in in this nutrient, and cases of deficiency have been reported in high-risk infants and children fed only cow’s milk formula.
High risk individuals include premature infants (especially low-birth weight), infants with prolonged diarrhea, infants and recovering children from malnutrition, and individuals with malabsorption syndromes, including celiac disease, as well as short bowel syndrome due to surgical removal of a large portion of the intestine.
This nutrient is found in a wide variety of foods wide but it is most plentiful in organ meats, shellfish, nuts, and seeds. Wheat brand cereals and whole grain products are also good sources.
The best foods for copper are:
Liver, (beef, cooked), oysters, clams, and crab meat (all cooked), cashews, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, almonds, peanut butter (chunky), lentils (cooked), mushrooms (raw), shredded wheat cereal, chocolate (semi-sweet), and hot cocoa mix.
Copper supplements are available as cupric acid, gluconate, copper sulfate, and copper amino acid.
There are several very good brands of supplements available in today’s markets that can assist with this deficiency.