Copper Supplements

Copper is a vital mineral that plays an extensive role in overall health. While its importance is overshadowed by other minerals, copper is necessary to preserve hair's natural pigment and it's crucial for your wellbeing. For those with a deficiency, copper supplements can be helpful. 

Copper-rich foods are organ meats, nuts, seafood, and natural grains. Ancient civilisations used copper to treat burn infections. 

The body stores copper in the muscles and bones. It's regulated by the liver. In the modern population, copper deficiency is rare. 

Why is Copper Important?

Copper is an important cofactor in the production of many key enzymes in the body. It uses redox chemistry to support energy production. It's also vital for iron transport, antioxidant balance, collagen formation, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. 

Signs that Show You May Need a Copper Supplement

Deficiency of copper is rare in people who eat a healthy diet. There are no specific tests for copper to measure the copper levels in the body, and it's not routinely performed. Due to its interactions with iron, deficiency of copper may lead to anemia. Other symptoms include fatigue, bone abnormalities, neutropenia, neurological issues, and weakened immunity. 

People who are at a high risk of having a copper deficiency are:

• Those who are take high doses of zinc supplements

• Those who are recovering after GI surgery 

• People with malabsorption issues

• Tube-fed patients

• Patients with diseases like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, Menkes syndrome

What are the Health Benefits of Copper?

Copper is important for

• Skin health: Copper helps with skin health as it plays a major role in skin repair. Without enough copper, your body may not be able to produce melanin, responsible for skin color. 

• Preventing anemia: Along with iron, copper is needed for hemoglobin. If you have healthy iron levels in your blood, but still have anemia, you can take copper supplements after consulting with your doctor. 

• Boosting the immune system: Neutropenia is low levels of white blood cells and without enough copper, it can happen. This can lead to a poor immune response against infections. 

• Healthy bones: When it comes to bone health, we talk more about calcium and vitamin D. Your body retains only a small amount of copper, but about two-thirds of it is stored in bones and muscles. 

• Hair Color: Low levels of copper in the body may result in not enough melanin formation, which results in greying of hair. Some research points to the fact that copper supplements may be useful in assisting collagen and elastin production, which helps hair health. While white, grey hair is an inevitable hair aging process, copper deficiency can accelerate it. 

Copper Supplement Forms and Their Bioavailability 

On Nutriessential, you can buy copper supplements in different forms, such as:

• Copper Glycinate: Pure Encapsulations has a highly bioavailable form of copper glycinate. Since it's available in chelated form, it's gentle on the stomach. Those who take zinc supplements can take it to balance copper levels in the body. 

• Copper bisglycinate: Throne features a copper bisglycinate supplement with NSF certification. 

• Copper citrate: This is another form of copper that has good solubility. It offers basic copper support. 

You can take these copper supplements after consulting with a health expert. 

Do I need Copper Supplements?

Generally, people are not diagnosed with copper deficiency. However, if your doctor recommends that you may benefit from copper supplements, that's then you can take a copper supplement. In that case, we have some good quality copper supplements on Nutriessential. 

What Are Copper Supplement Side Effects?

People who take copper supplements moderately can use them for the long term. Some of the common side effects of taking too much copper are abdominal pain, nausea, cramps, and diarrhoea. 

In healthy individuals, copper toxicity is rare. However, for those with Wilson's disease, too much copper could accumulate in the body and cause many health issues. Those who take zinc supplements must space out taking copper supplements because both of them compete for absorption. 

FAQs

1. Can I get enough copper from diet alone, or is a copper supplement necessary?

People who take a healthy and balanced diet usually get copper from plant and animal sources. If there is a nutrition gap, you can address it with multivitamins. If you have dietary restrictions or have absorption issues, your copper levels in the body may go down. In that case, your doctor can guide you regarding copper supplements. 

2. What's the best time to take copper supplements?

While there is no specific best time to take copper supplements, it's ideal to take them with food to avoid stomach upset. You should leave at least a 2-hour gap before you take other supplements.