Does Copper Activate Zinc in the Human Body?
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5 min read
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, taking high doses of supplemental zinc (50 mg/day or more) for extended periods can interfere with copper bioavailability by inducing the synthesis of a copper-binding protein. This is a crucial aspect of the antagonistic relationship between these two essential minerals, demonstrating that copper does not, in fact, activate zinc. Instead, they compete for absorption within the small intestine, and an imbalance can lead to significant health consequences.
