Health
Benefits of Copper
The
health benefits of copper include proper growth of the body, efficient
utilization of iron, proper enzymatic reactions, as well as improved health of
connective tissues, hair, and eyes. Copper is also integral for preventing
premature aging and increasing energy production. Apart from these, regulated
heart rhythm, balanced thyroid glands, reduced symptoms of arthritis, quick
wound healing, increased red blood cell formation, and reduced cholesterol are
other health benefits of copper.
The
health benefits of copper are crucial for an overall healthy existence, as this
mineral enables normal metabolic process in association with amino acids and
vitamins. Copper cannot be produced within the body and therefore needs to be
added from external food sources. Copper is the third most prevalent mineral in
the body and it is mostly carried by the blood plasma protein, Ceruloplasmin.
In order to enjoy the health benefits of copper, it must be included in the
daily diet, as it is used up in daily bodily processes.
Symptoms of
Copper Deficiency
A
deficiency of copper can have the following symptoms in human beings:
Anemia
Low body temperature
Brittle bones
Osteoporosis
Dilated veins
Low white blood cell count
Uneven heartbeat
Elevated cholesterol levels
Low resistance to infections
Birth defects
Low skin pigmentation
Thyroid disorders
Some
of the other symptoms include lethargy, paleness, sores, edema, stunted growth,
hair loss, anorexia, diarrhea, bleeding under the skin and dermatitis. In
infant boys, inherited copper deficiency of the rare Menkes’ syndrome can
happen, where natural absorption of copper becomes impossible. Early medical
intervention is essential in such cases.
Important
Sources of Copper:
Copper
is present in various food sources including liver, meat, seafood, beans, whole
grains, soy flour, wheat bran, almonds, avocados, barley, garlic, nuts, oats,
blackstrap molasses, beets and lentils. Copper also enters the human body
through drinking water in copper pipes and by using copper cookware. Oysters
are the richest sources of copper in nature. Copper content is lost because of
prolonged storage in tin cans and in foods that are high in acid content.
Health
benefits of Copper:
Copper
plays many important roles in maintaining a healthy body and some of its
benefits include:
Arthritis:
The health benefits of copper relate to its anti-inflammatory actions that
assist in reducing the symptoms of arthritis. The consumer market is also
flooded with copper bracelets as well as other accessories for curing this
condition. Copper can also work as a home remedy for arthritis; store water in
a copper container overnight to accumulates copper traces. These are beneficial
in strengthening the muscular system, so drink the water when you wake in the
morning. You will feel energized and active for the day, because your
metabolism will have a good source of copper for its daily processes.
Proper Growth:
Copper is essential for normal growth and health. Thus, it is very important to
include this mineral in balanced levels in your regular diets. It is also
helpful in the protection of the skeletal, nervous and cardiovascular systems.
If you suffer from a copper deficiency, the normal and healthy growth of organs
and tissues, as well as their proper oxygenation from an ample red blood cell
concentration, would be impossible. Copper deficiencies are seen in many third
world countries, and are reflected in the number of birth and growth defects in
children of those nations.
Pigmentation of Hair and Eyes:
Copper is a vital component of the natural dark pigment, melanin, which imparts
coloration to the skin, hair, and eyes. Melanin can be produced by melanocytes
only in the presence of the cuproenzyme called tyrosinase, which is derived
from copper. Intake of copper supplements also helps in protecting against
graying of the hair, so while it is often overlooked as an antioxidant mineral,
it does protect the integrity of those cells and keeps you looking young! It
also maintains the color of your eyes, and is essential, along with zinc, to
keep your eyes beautifully colored into your old age.
Beef3Connective Tissues:
Copper is an important nutrient that plays a significant role in the synthesis
of hemoglobin, myelin, body pigment melanin and collagen. It helps to protect
the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves, and it is also actively involved in
the production of elastin, an element of connective tissue that keeps the skin
flexible. This also keeps your skin from looking older, by keeping it flexible
and less prone to sagging and wrinkles.
Brain Stimulation:
Copper is widely known as a brain stimulant, which is why food with a high
copper content is often classified as “Brain Food”. However, copper content in
the diet has to be in correct proportions, because too much copper is also not
healthy for the brain. Copper has a control function to play in the brain, so
the amount of copper supplementation has to be balanced. Copper has been
associated directly with higher thought processes, particularly in relation to
the impact of its transporter protein, Atp7a. Studies have shown a direct link
between copper content within the brain and creative or out of the box
thinking, showing that copper enables neural pathways to develop in unique
ways.
Enzymatic Reactions:
Copper is either an element or a cofactor in as many as 50 different enzymes
that take part in various biological reactions within the body. These enzymes
can function properly only in the presence of copper. Without the enzymatic
reactions in our various organ systems, our entire metabolism would slow down
and the intricate network of reactions and metabolic pathways would cease to
function in harmony. This is specifically important in certain brain pathways,
particularly those involving dopamine and galactose.
Utilization of Iron and Sugar:
Copper helps in the absorption of iron from the intestinal tract and in the
release from its primary storage sites like the liver. It also helps in the
utilization of sugar in the body. By helping in the absorption of iron from
food and other supplemental sources, copper guarantees a healthy red blood cell
count and proper oxygenation of different organ systems. Without a proper
supply of iron, people suffer from anemia, also known as iron deficiency, which
can be a very dangerous condition resulting in fatigue, muscle ache, digestive problems,
and general weakness.
copperinfographicHelps Prevent
Premature Aging: Copper is a strong antioxidant, which
works in the presence of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase to
safeguard the cell membranes from free radicals. Superoxide dismutase is one of
the strongest antioxidants that work within the body in the fight against free
radicals. Free radicals attack many different organ systems, but are
specifically well-studied in terms of their effect on aging, including
wrinkles, age spots, susceptibility to various types of cancer, macular
degeneration, and kidney malfunctions. Having enough copper in your daily diet
can keep you looking younger for longer!
Increases Energy Production:
Copper is essential for the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate, which is an
energy storehouse of the human body. The cuproenzyme, cytochrome c oxidase,
affects intracellular energy production. It acts as a catalyst in the reduction
of molecular oxygen to water, during which the enzyme produces an electrical
gradient used by the mitochondria to synthesize the vital energy-storing
molecule, ATP. Therefore, when we have enough copper in our bodies, we will
have enough functional and accessible energy to get through the day without
feeling lethargic or tired.
Bactericidal Properties:
Studies have shown that copper can destroy or inhibit the growth of bacterial
strains such as E Coli. It also boosts the immune system and prevents excess
energy from being expended fighting off the infections.
Thyroid Glands:
Copper plays an important role in ensuring the proper function of the thyroid
gland. However, excess copper is also a major cause of thyroid malfunction, so
you need a very balanced level of copper in the blood, or else hormonal
activity will be imbalanced, and you can develop symptoms of either hypothyroidism
or hyperthyroidism.
Red Blood Cell Formation:
Copper is essential in the production of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and bone
matter. This is because copper is partially responsible for the efficient
uptake of iron from food sources.
Immunity:
Copper is a vital part of the healing process and ensures better wound healing.
Copper acts as an extremely good immunity builder, and it also works as a cure
for anemia, which will allow your body to both defend itself better and heal
itself faster. Copper is a co-factor in various enzymatic processes that result
in endothelial growth, or the healing process of tissue.
Reduces
Cholesterol: Research studies have shown that
copper can reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and help to
increase beneficial cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). This lowers the chances of
cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
