Copper (Amino Acid Chelate)

Copper (amino acid chelate)

Copper is a trace mineral required by the human body to function efficiently. While very little copper is needed by your body, this mineral plays a major role in various biological processes including collagen formation, iron absorption, energy production, and regulation of different enzymatic reactions. Copper is the third most abundant mineral in the body with highest concentrations in the heart, liver, brain, kidneys and skeletal muscle. However, it cannot be produced within the body and hence needs to be obtained from dietary sources and supplements.

Benefits of Copper

Copper deficiency can increase your risk for compromised growth, impaired neurological function and other serious health conditions. Tons of high quality research suggests that loading up on copper has a wide array of health benefits:

Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

The development of AD is thought to be driven by the production and deposition of sticky plaques in the brain known as beta amyloid.^[1] Interestingly, researchers found that copper has the ability to inhibit beta amyloid accumulation in animal models of AD.^[2] In another study, copper levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with AD compared with healthy individuals, suggesting that adequate levels of copper may help lower risk for AD.^[3]    

Improves Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A large body of research suggests that copper has anti-inflammatory abilities that help to relieve pain, swelling, and muscle stiffness associated with RA.^[4-5]  

Prevents Ulcer

Long-term use of non-steroidal acidic anti-inflammatory drugs is known to cause ulceration. In one study, researchers found that the damage caused by anti-inflammatory drugs such as clopirac, niflumic acid and aspirin was virtually abolished when they were given as copper complexes (copper bound to various types of molecules) in patients with gastrointestinal damage.^[6]  

Maintains a Healthy Nervous System

Copper helps protect the outer layer of nerves known as myelin sheath. Additionally, copper enhances the transmission of signals from one nerve to another.^[7]

Prevents Anemia

Copper deficiency is associated with high prevalence of anemia – a condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells (RBCs). One study proved that copper supplementation in anemic patients was able to bring RBCs within normal levels as evidenced by an increase in hemoglobin count.^[8]  

Maintains a Healthy Skeletal Structure

Copper deficiency increases the risk for brittle bones, osteoporosis, reduced strength, and fractures especially in postmenopausal women.^[9] Studies have shown that older women who took copper in combination with zinc, manganese, and calcium supplements experienced significant reductions in bone loss.^[10]

Boosts Immune Function

In patients with copper deficiency who had extensive bowel surgery, copper supplementation resulted in increased white blood cell (WBC) count.^[11]

Lowers Risk for Cardiovascular Diseases

Compelling evidence suggests that dietary copper deficiency is linked with a variety of heart diseases. This is because copper deficiency can lead to a wide array of serious medical conditions including hypertension, systemic inflammation, impaired blood clotting, and narrowing of the arteries – all of which are major risk factors for heart disease.^[12]    

References:

1. Murphy MP, LeVine H. Alzheimer’s Disease and the β-Amyloid Peptide. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease : JAD. 2010;19(1):311. doi:10.3233/JAD-2010-1221.
2. Cherny RA, Atwood CS, Xilinas ME, et al. Treatment with a copper-zinc chelator markedly and rapidly inhibits beta-amyloid accumulation in Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mice. Neuron. 2001;30(3):665-76.
3. Vural H, Demirin H, Kara Y, Eren I, Delibas N. Alterations of plasma magnesium, copper, zinc, iron and selenium concentrations and some related erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2010;24(3):169-73.
4. Berthon G. Is copper pro- or anti-inflammatory? A reconciling view and a novel approach for the use of copper in the control of inflammation. Agents Actions. 1993;39(3-4):210-7.
5. Roberts NA, Robinson PA. Copper chelates of anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory agents: their superoxide dismutase-like activity and stability. Br J Rheumatol. 1985;24(2):128-36.
6. Boyle E, Freeman PC, Goudie AC, Mangan FR, Thomson M. The role of copper in preventing gastrointestinal damage by acidic anti-inflammatory drugs. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1976;28(12):865-8.
7. Stephen Cunnane; Kathlyn Stewart (30 July 2010). Human Brain Evolution: The Influence of Freshwater and Marine Food Resources. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 50–. ISBN 978-0-470-60987-3.
8. Lewis MS. Iron and copper in the treatment of anemia in children. JAMA. 1931;96(14):1135-1138.
9. Mutlu M, Argun M, Kilic E, Saraymen R, Yazar S. Magnesium, zinc and copper status in osteoporotic, osteopenic and normal post-menopausal women. J Int Med Res. 2007;35(5):692-5.
10. Razmandeh R, Nasli-Esfahani E, Heydarpour R, et al. Association of Zinc, Copper and Magnesium with bone mineral density in Iranian postmenopausal women – a case control study. Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders. 2014;13:43. doi:10.1186/2251-6581-13-43.
11. Anemia and Neutropenia Caused by Copper Deficiency. Annals of Internal Medicine. 80(4):470.
12. Saari JT. Copper deficiency and cardiovascular disease: role of peroxidation, glycation, and nitration. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2000;78(10):848-55.