Copper (Cu)

This is an important mineral that is essential for proper metabolism in the body. However, at higher doses is toxic; overconsumption can result in death.

Copper interacts with zinc, so that taking too much copper can result in a functional zinc deficiency, and taking too much zinc can result in a functional copper deficiency.

Note that in Arizona, copper is relatively plentiful in the soil and water, so zinc deficiency is more likely than copper deficiency in Arizona. But the best plan is to "test, don't guess."

In order to optimize your copper (and zinc) balance in the body, consult with a health care provider, such as Dr. Weyrich, who is trained in biochemistry and nutrition.

According to [Gaby2011, pp 159-162], dietary deficiency of copper can manifest as:

• Increased inflammation (enzyme superoxide dismutase)
• Bone and connective tissue disorders, poor wound healing (enzyme lysyl oxidase)
• Impaired immune function
• Anemia
• Glucose intolerance
• Heart disorders
• Disordered thyroid function [PubMed]
• Premature hair greying [PubMed]
• Neurological problems [Wiki]

According to [Gaby2011, pp 160-162], copper toxicity can result from passing acidic drinking water through copper pipes, or cooking in copper vessels. This toxicity manifests as liver disease.

Listed below are examples of some of foods with good copper content. However, different authorities vary greatly in their reported values. There is concern that modern agricultural practices is causing a general decline in the nutritional content of the food supply).

• Organ meats (e.g. 4 ounces of beef liver has 16mg of copper; Chicken liver has 0.6mg).
• Shellfish (e.g. 100 grams cooked oysters have 4.8mg of copper; cooked crab contains 0.7mg).
• Dark chocolate (e.g. 100 grams of 70%-85% dark chocolate has 1.8mg of copper).
• Mushrooms (e.g. 1 cup cooked shiitake, portobello or button mushrooms have about 1.2mg of copper).
• Whole grains (e.g. 0.5 cup rye has 0.9mg of copper).
• Legumes (e.g. 0.5 cup beans, dried has 0.9mg copper).
• Nuts (e.g. 1 ounce (18) cashew nuts has 0.6mg of copper).
• Potatoes (e.g. a medium-sized baked potato contains 0.6mg of copper).
• Molasses, black strap 2 T has 0.6mg of copper.
• Seeds (e.g. 1 ounce sunflower seeds has 0.5mg of copper).
• Soy (e.g. 100 grams of Tofu has 0.4mg of copper).

•       [Gaby2011]   Alan R. Gaby. Nutritional Medicine. Concord, NH: Fritz Perlberg Publishing (2011). Amazon
•       [Marz1999]   Russell B Marz . Medical Nutrition from Marz, Second Edition. Portland, OR: Omni-Press (1999). Amazon
• 
  [WebMD]
• [PMID: 24789479]
• [PMID: 30783336]
• 
  [Wiki]