Health Information On Copper

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