Copper

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
Anemia and Copper Deficiency	If deficient: 2 to 3 mg daily	Copper deficiency can contribute to anemia, supplementing with this mineral may restore levels and improve symptoms.
Anemia and Copper Deficiency If deficient: 2 to 3 mg daily Deficiencies of iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are the most common nutritional causes of anemia.¹ Although rare, severe deficiencies of several other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A,² ^{, 3} vitamin B2,⁴ vitamin B6,⁵ ^{, 6} vitamin C,⁷ and copper,⁸ ^{, 9} can also cause anemia by various mechanisms. Rare genetic disorders can cause anemias that may improve with large amounts of supplements such as vitamin B1.¹⁰ ^{, 11}

Used for	Amount	Why
High Cholesterol	3 to 4 mg daily	Copper deficiency has been linked to high blood cholesterol, supplementing with it may correct a deficiency and lower cholesterol.
High Cholesterol 3 to 4 mg daily Deficiency of the trace mineral copper has been linked to high blood cholesterol.¹³ ^{, 14} In a controlled trial, daily supplementation with 3 to 4 mg of copper for eight weeks decreased blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, in a group of people over 50 years of age.¹⁵ Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Menkes’ Disease	Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner regarding copper injections	Some studies have shown favorable effects of injectable copper on brain and nerve development when treatment was begun early and the degree of genetic defect was mild.
Menkes’ Disease Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner regarding copper injections Copper injections are used to treat Menkes’ disease. The success of this treatment often depends on the severity of the disease. Some studies have shown favorable effects of injectable copper on brain and nerve development in people with Menkes’ disease when the degree of genetic defect was mild and treatment was begun early.¹⁶ However, copper therapy does not benefit Menkes’ patients if the genetic defects are severe, or if therapy is begun after the physical defects manifest.¹⁷ Some researchers have observed that damaging levels of copper can build up in the tissues of some copper-treated people with Menkes’ disease.¹⁸ For example, in one study a boy developed low blood pressure in response to changing body position (called orthostatic hypotension), an enlarged spleen, and ballooning of an artery in his abdomen. However, whether these anomalies resulted from therapy or from the Menkes’ disease itself remains unclear. As a result, copper therapy is still considered experimental¹⁹ and potentially dangerous. People with Menkes’ disease should consult a healthcare professional before supplementing with copper. In 1989, one researcher suggested that Menkes’ disease is caused by a defect in zinc metabolism that reduces copper availability.²⁰ The possibility of this zinc-copper interaction in Menkes’ disease has since been investigated in preliminary test tube research.²¹ ^{, 22} ^{, 23} ^{, 24} These studies have shown that supplementation with zinc does not alter the way cells from people with Menkes’ disease use copper. Therefore, zinc supplementation is unlikely to be beneficial in Menkes’ disease. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Osteoporosis	2 to 3 mg daily	Copper is needed for normal bone synthesis, and one trial reported that copper reduced bone loss.
Osteoporosis 2 to 3 mg daily Copper is needed for normal bone synthesis. Recently, a two-year, controlled trial reported that 3 mg of copper per day reduced bone loss.²⁵ When taken over a shorter period of time (six weeks), the same level of copper supplementation had no effect on biochemical markers of bone loss.²⁶ Some doctors recommend 2 to 3 mg of copper per day, particularly if zinc is also being taken, in order to prevent a deficiency. Supplemental zinc significantly depletes copper stores, so people taking zinc supplements for more than a few weeks generally need to supplement with copper also. Calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper are sometimes found at appropriate levels in high-potency multivitamin-mineral supplements. One trial studying postmenopausal women combined hormone replacement therapy with magnesium (600 mg per day), calcium (500 mg per day), vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, and other nutrients for an eight- to nine-month period.²⁷ In addition, participants were told to avoid processed foods, limit protein intake, emphasize vegetable over animal protein, and limit consumption of salt, sugar, alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate, and tobacco. Bone density increased a remarkable 11%, compared to only 0.7% in women receiving hormone replacement alone. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Wound Healing	2 to 4 mg daily	Copper plays a role in the strengthening of connective tissue and may help promote wound healing.
Wound Healing 2 to 4 mg daily Copper is a required cofactor for the enzyme lysyl oxidase, which plays a role in the cross-linking (and strengthening) of connective tissue.²⁸ Doctors often recommend a copper supplement as part of a comprehensive nutritional program to promote wound healing. A typical amount recommended is 2–4 mg per day, beginning two weeks prior to surgery and continuing for four weeks after surgery. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm	Refer to label instructions	Copper is required for normal artery structure, and deficiency of the vitamin may lead to weak aortic walls and aorta rupture. Supplementing with copper may combat deficiency.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Copper is required for normal artery structure.²⁹ Animal studies have shown that copper deficiency leads to weak aortic walls³⁰ and rupture of the aorta.³¹ Combating deficiency with copper supplements prevented rupture in an animal study.³² Copper deficiency in humans with AAA has been suggested in some studies,³³^{, 34} but not in others.³⁵^{, 36}^{, 37} No studies have been done using copper supplements to prevent or manage aneurysms.

Used for	Amount	Why
Athletic Performance	Refer to label instructions	In one trial a combination of zinc and copper significantly reduced evidence of post-exercise free radical activity.
Athletic Performance In one double-blind trial a combination of 50 mg per day of zinc and 3 mg per day of copper significantly reduced evidence of post-exercise free radical activity.³⁸ Exercise increases zinc losses from the human body, and severe zinc deficiency can compromise muscle function.³⁹ ^{, 40} Athletes who do not eat an optimal diet, especially those who are trying to control their weight or use fad diets while exercising strenuously, may become deficient in zinc to the extent that performance or health is compromised.⁴¹ ^{, 42} One double-blind trial in women found that 135 mg per day of zinc for two weeks improved one measure of muscle strength.⁴³ Whether these women were zinc deficient was not determined in this study. A double-blind study of male athletes with low blood levels of zinc found that 20 mg per day of zinc improved the flexibility of the red blood cells during exercise, which could benefit blood flow to the muscles.⁴⁴ No other studies of the effects of zinc supplementation in exercising people have been done. A safe amount of zinc for long-term use is 20 to 40 mg per day along with 1 to 2 mg of copper. Higher amounts should be taken only under the supervision of a doctor. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia	Refer to label instructions	If you are taking large amounts of zinc (such as 30 mg per day or more) for BHP, most doctors recommend supplementing with copper to avoid copper deficiency.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Prostatic secretions are known to contain a high concentration of zinc; that observation suggests that zinc plays a role in normal prostate function. In one preliminary study, 19 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia took 150 mg of zinc daily for two months, and then 50 to 100 mg daily. In 74% of the men, the prostate became smaller.⁴⁵ Because this study did not include a control group, improvements may have been due to a placebo effect. Zinc also reduced prostatic size in an animal study but only when given by local injection.⁴⁶ Although the research supporting the use of zinc is weak, many doctors recommend its use. Because supplementing with large amounts of zinc (such as 30 mg per day or more) may potentially lead to copper deficiency, most doctors recommend taking 2 to 3 mg of copper per day along with zinc. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Cardiac Arrhythmia	Refer to label instructions	Supplementing with copper may reduce the frequency of abnormal heartbeats.
Cardiac Arrhythmia Three cases have been reported in which ventricular premature beats disappeared after supplementation with copper (4 mg per day in the two cases for which amounts were reported).⁴⁷ In one of these people, supplementing with zinc made the arrhythmia worse, confirming previous observations that excessive zinc intake may lead to copper deficiency,⁴⁸ which in turn may lead to arrhythmia. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Hypoglycemia	Refer to label instructions	Copper helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it may be helpful for hypoglycemia as well.
Hypoglycemia Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)⁴⁹ or magnesium (340 mg per day)⁵⁰ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.⁵¹ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.⁵² Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Rheumatoid Arthritis	Refer to label instructions	People with rheumatoid arthritis tend to be deficient in copper, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent needed to activate an enzyme that protects joints from inflammation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Copper acts as an anti-inflammatory agent needed to activate superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that protects joints from inflammation. People with RA tend toward copper deficiency⁵³ and copper supplementation has been shown to increase SOD levels in humans.⁵⁴ The Journal of the American Medical Association quoted one researcher as saying that while “Regular aspirin had 6% the anti-inflammatory activity of [cortisone] . . . copper [when added to aspirin] had 130% the activity [of cortisone].”⁵⁵ Several copper compounds have been used successfully in treating people with RA,⁵⁶ and a controlled trial using copper bracelets reported surprisingly effective results compared with the effect of placebo bracelets.⁵⁷ Under certain circumstances, however, copper can increase inflammation in rheumatoid joints.⁵⁸ Moreover, the form of copper most consistently reported to be effective, copper aspirinate (a combination of copper and aspirin), is not readily available. Nonetheless, some doctors suggest a trial of 1–3 mg of copper per day for at least several months. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Sprains and Strains	Refer to label instructions	Trace minerals, such as copper, are known to be important in the biochemistry of tissue healing.
Sprains and Strains Zinc is a component of many enzymes, including some that are needed to repair wounds. Even a mild deficiency of zinc can interfere with optimal recovery from everyday tissue damage as well as from more serious trauma.⁵⁹ Trace minerals, such as manganese, copper, and silicon are also known to be important in the biochemistry of tissue healing.⁶⁰^{, 61}^{, 62}^{, 63} However, there have been no controlled studies of people with sprains or strains to explore the effect of deficiency of these minerals, or of oral supplementation, on the rate of healing. Learn More

Also indexed as:

blood disorders,
blood problem,
burn,
dietary copper,
drug interactions,
drug-drug interactions,
hematological disorder,
medication interactions

About this treatment

How to Use It

Most people consume less than the recommended amount of this mineral. Some doctors recommend supplementing the average diet with 1–3 mg of copper per day. While the necessity of supplementing a normal diet with copper has not been proven, most people who take zinc supplements, including the zinc found in multivitamin-mineral supplements, should probably take additional copper.

Cupric oxide (CuO) is a form of copper frequently used in vitamin-mineral supplements sold over-the-counter. However, animal studies have shown conclusively this form of copper is poorly absorbed from the gut; it should therefore not be used in supplements. Several other forms of copper (including copper sulfate, cupric acetate, and alkaline copper carbonate) are better absorbed, and are therefore preferable to cupric oxide.

Where to Find It

The best source of copper is oysters. Nuts, dried legumes, cereals, potatoes, vegetables, and meat also contain copper.

Possible Deficiencies

Many people consume slightly less than the “safe and adequate range” of copper, 1.5–3.0 mg per day. Little is known about the clinical effects of these marginally adequate intakes, though frank copper deficiency is uncommon. Children with Menkes’ disease are unable to absorb copper normally and become severely deficient unless medically treated early in life. Deficiency can also occur in people who supplement with zinc without also increasing copper intake. Zinc interferes with copper absorption. Health consequences of zinc-induced copper deficiency can be quite serious. In the absence of copper supplementation, vitamin C supplementation has also been reported to mildly impair copper metabolism. Copper deficiency can result in anemia, lower levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, or cardiac arrhythmias.

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Last Review: 05-11-2011

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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