Minerals

	Boron
	Calcium
	Chromium
	Copper
	Germanium
	Iodine
	Iron
	Magnesium
	Manganese
	Molybdenum
	Phosphorus
	Potassium
	Selenium
	Silicon
	Sodium
	Sulfur
	Vanadium
	Zinc

Copper - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms and Food Sources

What is Copper?

This is a trace mineral which is very important for the healthy body. In fact, for a variety of biochemical processes in the body to operate normally, copper must be a part of our diet. Although copper is the third most abundant trace mineral in the body, the total amount of copper in the body is only 75 to 100 milligrams, less than the amount of copper in a penny.

Copper is mostly absorbed at the level of the duodenum in the intestine. Approximately 32 per cent of the copper in the diet is absorbed.

Uses and Benefits of Copper

Copper helps make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Copper is a critical functional component of a number of essential enzymes, known as cuproenzymes. The copper-dependent enzyme, cytochrome oxidase , plays a critical role in cellular energy production. Copper is needed to absorb and utilize iron. It is also part of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper is needed to make adenosine triphosphate, the energy the body runs on. It makes the amino acid - tyrosine - usable, enabling it to work as the pigmenting factor for the hair and skin. It is also essential for the utilization of vitamin C. The therapeutic effects of copper extend also upon skin disorders, cataract, sexually transmitted diseases or lungs problems.

Recommended Dosage for Copper

There is approximately 75 to 150 mg of copper in the adult human body. Newborn infants have higher concentrations of copper than adults. If you take zinc, which competes with copper absorption, you may need a couple of mg more than the RDA.

Deficiency Symptoms of Copper

Because copper is involved in many functions of the body, copper deficiency produces an extensive range of symptoms. Lack of copper in the body can affect the structure and functions of the conjunctive tissues and joints. It may be caused by problems in the liver or bile duct, leading to poor absorption of food. The symptoms include changes in the hair, both colour and texture, loss of hair, anemia, diarrhea, low white blood cell count, problems with the central nervous system and bone diseases.

Rich Food Sources of Copper

Copper is found in various foods, including organ meats (especially liver), seafood's, 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.

Cautions and Some Side Effects of Copper

Too much copper can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coma and liver damage. Recent research has revealed that the very young have special biochemical mechanisms for adequately managing copper in the body while their permanent life-long mechanisms develop and mature.