Copper is vital to the health of all living things. It is responsible for proper function of organs and metabolic processes. It is a part of certain proteins and enzymes used for a variety of processes including controlling nerve signal transmission, generating energy, blood clotting, and oxygen transport. Copper is also needed for growth, development, maintenance of bone, brain, heart, connective tissue and other organs. Is is involved in creating new red blood cells, absorbing and using iron, and metabolizing cholesterol and glucose. Sources include sea foods, organ meats, whole grains, legumes, and chocolate.
Quick Facts
-Vital to health of all living things
-Responsible for proper function of organs and metabolic processes
-Integrated into certain proteins and enzymes. -These enzymes are used for variety of processes including controlling nerve signal transmission, generating energy, blood clotting, and oxygen transport
-Needed for growth, development, maintenance of bone, brain, heart, connective tissue and other organs
-Involved in creating new red blood cells
-Absorbing and using iron
-Metabolizing cholesterol and glucose [66]
RDI
Males 19 – 30 yrs: 900 μg
Females 19 – 30 yrs: 900 μg
[128]
Deficiency
-Can cause the body to absorb less iron causing fatigue and weakness. Other symptoms include frequent sickness, weak and brittle bones, memory and learning problems, poor coordination and unsteadiness
[183]
Toxicity
-Upper limit: 10 mg / day
-Symptoms include headaches, fever, passing out, feeling sick , throwing up, blood in vomit, diarrhea, black stool, abdominal cramps, brown, ring shaped marks in eyes, yellow eyes and skin. Also may include feeling anxious or irritable, trouble focusing, overexcitable or overstimulated, depression, sudden changes in mood.
-Long term copper toxicity can be fatal and can cause kidney conditions, liver damage and failure, heart failure, and brain damage
-Mostly caused from copper getting into drinking water [184]
Sources
Sea foods, organ meats, whole grains, legumes, chocolate [66]
