Copper is an essential mineral that your body needs to support the health of your red blood cells, nerve fibers, bones and connective tissues. Copper is found in nuts, legumes, cereals, oysters, meat, potatoes and certain other vegetables. Certain people are especially susceptible to copper deficiencies and might need to take a supplement in the form of colloidal copper, which is a suspended water-based solution containing copper particles. Don’t take copper before first consulting your doctor, however.
Balancing High Zinc Doses
If you’re taking high doses of zinc supplements, you may lose copper in your body. Studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1990 and the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society in 1995 have discovered that people who take high doses of zinc to treat macular degeneration or other conditions appear to have reduced storage of copper in their bodies, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Taking zinc can prevent you from absorbing copper. Ask your doctor about taking a copper supplement if you’re taking high doses of zinc.
Treating Arthritis & Osteoporosis
Copper might help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Copper deficiencies can weaken your bones and potentially cause you to develop osteoporosis, the Mayo Clinic reports. Copper could also reduce your risk of developing arthritis or help treat the pain and inflammation from arthritis. You might take oral copper supplements for osteoporosis, but topical copper applications or copper bracelets might help in relieving arthritis symptoms, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Little scientific evidence proves that copper actually works for these conditions, however.
Treating Anemia
Taking a copper supplement could be beneficial if you have anemia, because anemia can cause copper deficiency, notes the University of Michigan Health System. People with anemia typically take iron supplements, which can necessitate copper supplementation (reference 1). Copper and iron act together to create hemoglobin, which anemic people are lacking (reference 4). Also, taking high doses of vitamin C can cause a copper deficiency (reference 1). Consult your physician about taking copper supplements if you have anemia or take large amounts of vitamin C. Also, because iron and vitamin C can interfere with copper absorption, you should take the supplements two hours apart, advises the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Treating Burns & Wounds
Suffering from burns and wounds can deplete your copper stores in your body, the Mayo Clinic notes. If you have a burn or wound, this copper deficiency can slow down healing and increase your chances of infection. A 2005 study published in the journal Burns found that children with burn injuries had zinc and copper deficiencies, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. You might need to take supplements of copper, as well as zinc and selenium to help treat burns and severe wounds. Also, a report in Medical Hypotheses in 2008 suggested that applying copper to wound dressings might speed up skin regeneration and decrease infection risks.
Treating Intestinal & Certain Other Diseases
Severe copper deficiencies can also occur in children with Menkes’ disease, because they typically cannot absorb the mineral normally, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Other health conditions that can cause copper deficiencies include chronic stress, diarrhea and stomach removal, as well as kidney and pancreas diseases, the Mayo Clinic says. Your body might not be able to properly absorb copper and other essential minerals if you have Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease or IBD, adds the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you have a copper deficiency, you might have a greater risk of developing heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias or high cholesterol. Your doctor might need to monitor your mineral intake if you have any of these conditions.
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