Copper Health Article

Factors that increase copper concentrations

Certain disorders have been known to increase copper levels. Persons with these conditions should not take copper supplements as they may cause copper toxicity.

• recent heart attacks
• lupus erythematosus
• cirrhosis of the liver
• schizophrenia
• leukemia and some other forms of cancer
• viral infections
• ulcerative colitis (This inflammatory bowel disease may cause accumulation of copper in the body. Excessive amount of copper may worsen many symptoms of this disease by increasing susceptibility to infections and inhibiting wound healing.)
• Wilson's disease (This disease causes accumulation of r in the tissues. As a result, these patients have liver disease, mental retardation, tremor, and poor muscle coordination. They also have copper deposits in the cornea of the eyes. To manage this disease, patients are put on a low-copper diet and given penicillamine, a drug that attaches itself to copper and increases its excretion.)

KEY TERMS

Antioxidants—Antioxidants are nutrients that deactivate reactive molecules (free radicals) and prevent harmful chain reactions.

Minerals—Inorganic chemical elements that are found in plants and animals and are essential for life. There are two types of minerals: major minerals, which the body requires in large amounts, and trace elements, which the body needs only in minute amounts.

BOOKS

Lieberman, Shari and Nancy Bruning. "Copper." In The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book: Using Supplements for Optimum Health Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1997.

Passwater, Richard A. All About Antioxidants. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1998.

PERIODICALS

Reginster, Jean-Yves, Anne Noel Taquet, and Christiane Gosset. "Therapy for Osteoporosis: Miscellaneous and Experimental Agents." Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics (June 1998): 453-463.

Uauy, Ricardo, Manuel Olivarez, and Mauricio Gonzales. "Essentiality of Copper in Humans." Journal of Clinical Nutrition 67 suppl (1998): 952S-959S.

OTHER

"Copper." The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. <http://www.merck.com>. (9 April 2000).

Rosenstein, Elliot D. and Jacques R. Caldwell. "Therapies: Trace Elements in the Treatment of Rheumatic Conditions." In Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America. Part II. <http://www.mdconsult.com>. (10 May2000).

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