What Does Copper Do to the Body? A Comprehensive Guide

Over two-thirds of the body's copper is located in the skeleton and muscle, illustrating its fundamental role beyond just being a trace mineral. A balanced intake is essential, as too little or too much can disrupt numerous biological processes. This guide explains what does copper do to the body to help maintain optimal health.

Quick Summary

This article details the essential functions of copper in the body, including its roles in energy production, iron metabolism, and immune health. It covers the symptoms, causes, and effects of both deficiency and toxicity.

Key Points

• Essential Cofactor: Copper is a vital cofactor for enzymes involved in energy production, iron metabolism, and antioxidant defense.

• Nervous System Health: It supports the development and function of the central nervous system, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters and the maintenance of the myelin sheath.

• Immune Function: Adequate copper levels are crucial for a healthy immune system, as deficiency can lead to lower white blood cell counts and increased infection risk.

• Connective Tissue: Copper is required for the formation of collagen and elastin, proteins that provide structure and strength to bones, skin, and blood vessels.

• Balance is Key: Maintaining proper copper homeostasis is essential, as both insufficient and excessive amounts can lead to serious health problems affecting the liver, brain, and other organs.

• Dietary Sources: Most people can obtain sufficient copper from a balanced diet rich in organ meats, shellfish, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

The Importance of Copper as an Essential Trace Mineral

Copper is a vital trace mineral, essential for carrying out a wide range of physiological functions. It serves as a critical cofactor for numerous enzymes, known as cuproenzymes, which are involved in everything from energy production to building connective tissues. The body meticulously regulates copper levels through complex homeostatic mechanisms to prevent both deficiency and toxicity. Maintaining this delicate balance is crucial for overall health, as disruptions can lead to significant health problems.

Key Functions of Copper in the Body

Copper's influence is widespread, affecting multiple organ systems and biological processes. Here is a closer look at its primary roles:

• Energy Production: At the cellular level, copper is a component of cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme complex vital for mitochondrial respiration. This process is where oxygen is used to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body's main energy source. Without adequate copper, this energy production is impaired, contributing to fatigue.
• Iron Metabolism: Copper plays a pivotal role in iron absorption and transport. Cuproenzymes like ceruloplasmin oxidize iron to its transportable state, allowing it to be properly delivered to red blood cells and other tissues. A copper deficiency can therefore lead to iron-refractory anemia.
• Immune System Support: Proper immune function relies on copper. A deficiency can lead to neutropenia, a low white blood cell count, which increases the risk of infections. Copper also possesses natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, helping the body defend against pathogens.
• Connective Tissue and Bone Health: Copper is a cofactor for the enzyme lysyl oxidase, which is necessary for cross-linking collagen and elastin. This process is crucial for the strength and elasticity of bones, blood vessels, and skin. Severe copper deficiency can result in fragile bones and connective tissue disorders.
• Nervous System Function: In the central nervous system, copper is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath that insulates nerve cells. Imbalances can impair signal transmission and have been implicated in various neurological disorders.
• Antioxidant Defense: Copper is a component of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). SOD helps protect cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress.

Comparing Healthy Copper Levels with Deficiency and Toxicity

Maintaining the right amount of copper is a balancing act, as both too little and too much can cause problems. The table below outlines the differences.

Aspect	Healthy Copper Levels	Copper Deficiency (Hypocupremia)	Copper Toxicity (Hypercupremia)
Effect on Health	Supports numerous essential bodily functions, maintaining overall health.	Leads to various disorders, including anemia, neurological issues, and weakened immune function.	Can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, liver damage, and neurological symptoms.
Causes	Adequate dietary intake from a balanced diet.	Poor diet, malabsorption (e.g., gastric bypass, Crohn's), excessive zinc intake, or genetic disorders like Menkes disease.	High intake from supplements or contaminated water, or genetic conditions like Wilson's disease.
Key Symptoms	Absence of deficiency or toxicity symptoms.	Fatigue, weakness, anemia, unsteady gait, numbness/tingling, weakened bones, frequent infections, loss of skin pigment.	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, metallic taste, jaundice, and in severe cases, organ failure.
Treatment	Continued balanced diet.	Dietary adjustments, addressing malabsorption, or supervised supplementation.	Stopping intake of excess copper, chelation therapy for genetic disorders like Wilson's disease.

Symptoms and Causes of Deficiency

Acquired copper deficiency is rare in healthy individuals following a balanced diet but can occur due to various factors. It is more common in premature infants, individuals with chronic diarrhea, and those with malabsorption issues from conditions like celiac disease or cystic fibrosis. A significant cause can also be the prolonged use of high-dose zinc supplements, as zinc interferes with copper absorption. Symptoms can be widespread and include anemia, fatigue, neutropenia, impaired immune function, bone abnormalities, and neurological problems like numbness and loss of coordination.

The Dangers of Copper Toxicity

While the body has effective mechanisms to excrete excess copper, chronic exposure to high levels can be harmful. This can happen from consuming copper-rich water due to corroded pipes or taking excessive supplements. Acute symptoms of high intake include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Chronic toxicity is much rarer in healthy people but can lead to liver and kidney damage. A genetic disorder called Wilson's disease, where the body cannot properly excrete copper, can cause life-threatening copper accumulation in the liver, brain, and eyes.

Sourcing Copper from Food

For most people, obtaining adequate copper is easily achievable through diet. Good food sources of copper include:

• Organ meats (especially beef liver)
• Shellfish (oysters, crab, lobster)
• Nuts (cashews)
• Seeds (sunflower and sesame)
• Legumes (chickpeas, beans)
• Whole-grain products
• Dark chocolate
• Potatoes
• Avocados and mushrooms

Conclusion

Copper is a fundamental trace mineral involved in a myriad of essential bodily functions, including energy metabolism, iron transport, immune response, and the maintenance of connective tissues. Both deficiency and toxicity are potential health risks, though they are relatively uncommon in healthy individuals with a balanced diet. The body’s ability to regulate copper levels is remarkably robust, but certain health conditions, surgical procedures, and excessive zinc intake can disrupt this balance. For most people, consuming a diet rich in copper-containing foods is sufficient to meet their needs. However, individuals with diagnosed deficiencies, malabsorption disorders, or genetic conditions affecting copper metabolism should consult a healthcare professional to manage their copper levels effectively. Understanding what does copper do to the body is key to appreciating this essential mineral's critical role in maintaining our health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common symptoms of copper deficiency?

Common symptoms of copper deficiency include fatigue, anemia resistant to iron therapy, weakness, neutropenia (low white blood cell count), neurological problems like numbness or unstable gait, and osteoporosis.

How can one get enough copper from their diet?

You can get enough copper by including foods such as organ meats (especially liver), shellfish (like oysters), nuts (cashews), seeds (sesame, sunflower), legumes, dark chocolate, and whole-grain products in your diet.

Can taking too much zinc cause a copper deficiency?

Yes, excessive zinc consumption can interfere with the body's ability to absorb copper from the diet, potentially leading to a copper deficiency over time.

What is Wilson's disease?

Wilson's disease is a rare inherited genetic disorder where the body cannot properly excrete excess copper. This leads to a dangerous buildup of copper in organs like the liver, brain, and eyes.

What are the signs of copper toxicity?

Signs of copper toxicity can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, liver damage, jaundice, and potential kidney failure.

Does copper supplementation benefit heart health?

The relationship between copper intake and heart health is complex and has yielded mixed research results. While some studies have associated deficiency with heart problems, others link higher intake to cardiovascular mortality.

Is copper important for brain development?

Yes, copper is critical for brain development and function. It is involved in producing neurotransmitters and maintaining the myelin sheath that allows for proper nerve signal transmission.