Copper

Basic Information about Copper

Copper is one of the minerals which is required for proper life in most all plants and animals. The normal amount of copper in the human body is usually equal to about 1.4 to 2.1 mg per kg of body weight. Copper can be found throughout the entire human body; however, there are a few locations where copper has higher concentrations. These areas are the liver, muscles, and bones in the body. Ceruloplasmin in the blood are what transfer copper to different parts of the body. Copper is absorbed in the gut, and it is transported to the liver bound to albumin. Copper is excreted in bile, and that is one of the major control steps in the metabolism and excretion of copper.

Copper helps the body to take in iron in the blood of the body. Copper shares this role with the mineral zinc. What can occur is too much of either zinc or copper can lead to a deficiency in the other mineral. The body finds it difficult to absorb both of these minerals at a very high rate. Therefore, it is recommended that a person try to get healthy amounts of both minerals, instead of trying to get excessive amounts of one or the other mineral.

Food Sources of Copper

Copper can be found in many plants and animals. Copper is one of the most essential minerals to life, and there can be trace amounts of copper found in nearly every food source. There are a few sources which contain higher amounts of copper. These sources include: nuts, vegetable oils, butter, gelatin, black pepper, thyme, paprika, bay leaves, ginger root, raisins, apple papaya, carrots, turnips, mushrooms, meat, liver, poultry, fish, oysters, whole grains, spinach, beef, lamb, blackstrap molasses, Brazil nuts, cocoa, avocados, green olives, sunflower seeds, and most green vegetables.

Health Benefits of Copper

The loss of bone density among women is a very critical problem. It has been found that women who go through menopause will lose anywhere from 10 – 25% of their bone density. This is very dangerous for women because the lack of bone density can lead to many life threatening injuries and medical conditions. The most deadly of all the injuries which older woman face is that of a broken hip. Broken hips are one of the most dangerous injuries, and have one of the highest mortality rates of any major injuries.

One of the reasons hip injuries are so dangerous is because of the mortality rates among seniors. When an elderly adult suffers a broken hip they lose a large part of their mobility. This means they will be at a higher risk of contracting a disease which normally only affects the inactive. Pneumonia and chronic heart disease are two deadly disorders which affect those who are less active.

The best way for a woman to prevent a hip injury is to try and maintain a healthy level of bone density. This additional bone density should provide some levels of protection against falls which could break hips. Research has shown that women who take in higher amounts of calcium before the age of thirty will have improved bone health later in life. One of the best ways to help the body to absorb higher levels of calcium is to monitor the amounts of copper which a person has in their body. Copper has been shown to improve the absorption of calcium in the body of women. It isn’t enough for women to simply have more calcium in their system, but they must also take in other minerals which will help the body to absorb the calcium into the bones.

How to Get Enough Copper in a Diet

A balance of copper is needed in the diet. As explained about copper and zinc levels in the body is connected. Too much of one will lead to a deficiency in the other. Yet, it is important for the body to have the proper amounts of both minerals in order to function properly.

Supplementation of minerals is a good way to ensure the body has enough of the vitamins and minerals it requires in order to be healthy. One of the major problems which can occur with supplementation is too much of any given mineral or nutrient. This normally occurs when a person disregards the recommended dosage instructions on the side of the supplement bottle, or when a person purchases a multivitamin from a less than reputable distributor.

There are many vitamin and supplement companies which do not provide a quality product to their customers. These low brand vitamins can be very detrimental to the health of the users. Research into quality vitamin companies is recommended before the purchase of any supplementation is made. In this way a person can get the nutrients their body needs, and takes step towards hopefully improving their overall health.