Copper is a trace mineral that you need in small amounts to maintain certain aspects of your normal body function. Under everyday circumstances, the copper levels in your body are closely related to your levels of another trace mineral, zinc. While doctors don't use zinc to combat excessive copper levels, they sometimes use it to keep copper levels low in the aftermath of a copper buildup.
Copper and Zinc Basics
You need copper in your diet to support processes that include normal function of your brain and nervous system, formation of chemicals called neurotransmitters, energy production, processing of dietary iron and the creation of a type of tissue called connective tissue. Food sources of copper include shellfish, organ meats, seeds, nuts, lentils, mushrooms and whole grains. Zinc affects your body's copper content by altering your levels of a protein in your intestinal cells called metallothionein. Increased zinc consumption leads to increased metallothionein levels; in turn, higher metallothionein levels decrease your body's rate of copper absorption.
Too Much Copper
Dangerous levels of copper are rare in human beings, according to Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute, and most adults can probably safely consume as much as 10 g per day. Potential sources of rapid, toxic copper accumulation include consumption of contaminated water sources and consumption of contaminated beverages stored in copper-containing materials. If you ingest toxic levels of copper, potential treatment options include stomach washes, an IV metal-removal technique called chelation, and oral doses of chelation medications called dimercaprol and penicillamine.
Wilson's Disease
People with a condition called Wilson's disease have a genetic defect that reduces normal transport of copper inside their bodies and leads to a dangerous copper buildup. Left untreated, this type of buildup is eventually fatal. If you have Wilson's disease, your doctor will first reduce your copper levels by placing you on a low-copper diet and prescribing penicillamine or another chelation medication. Once your copper levels are reduced, your doctor can help to prevent a buildup from recurring by prescribing regular doses of a form of zinc called zinc acetate.
Considerations
You can trigger a copper deficiency if you habitually take 50 mg or more of zinc per day, the Linus Pauling Institute notes. On the other hand, high levels of copper intake won't affect your zinc levels. Potential symptoms of relatively minor acute, or rapid, copper toxicity include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Before killing you, more severe forms of acute toxicity can result in kidney failure, liver damage and coma. Long-term high copper intake that doesn't cause acute symptoms can still potentially damage your liver. To safeguard your health and avoid this possibility, your daily intake of copper from food and supplements needs to stay below 10 mg per day. People with Wilson's disease and gene-based copper disorders need to keep their intake even lower.
Consult your doctor for more information on zinc and copper intake. Seek prompt medical attention if you have any symptoms of copper toxicity.
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