Copper & Iron
Copper has many benefits in the human body but it’s least known for the proper utilization of iron and oxygen within the blood leading people with iron issues not to realize the source of the problem is often due to a copper deficiency.
Copper and I
More Benefits of Copper
– Copper is an essential mineral that benefits bone, nerve, and skeletal health.
– Production of hemoglobin and red blood cells
– Prevents joint and muscle pain including a natural treatment for arthritis.
– Helps sustain energy levels
– Balance hormones
– Stimulates brain
– Vital in maintaining healthy metabolism
– Necessary for ATP production, which is the main source of energy in the body
– Good for skin supporting collagen and elastin offering skin a youthful appearance and elasticity.
– Brain function including increasing creativity, decision-making, memory, communication
Copper is the third most prevalent mineral within the body, yet the body cannot create it by itself. Not safe to consume in large quantities but small amounts of the metal may have remarkable effects on overall physical health.
Signs You May be Low in Copper
– Low energy
– Sluggish metabolism
– Excessive wrinkling
– Premature grey hair.
– Acme or other skin issues including white spots (from vitiligo)
– Candida or fungal diseases
– Varicose veins
– Arthritis
– Anemia
– Other symptoms are tingling sensation, tremors, numbness, loss of vision, and fatigue.
Other Possible Signs of Copper Deficiency
It may be many of the ‘causes’ of anemia and other chronic diseases (such as seemingly low iron or B12 levels) may actually be a sign of low copper levels.
Cells unable to make ATP reduce overall physical energy, creating a sense of fatigue. Hormonal imbalances may result as iron builds up in the endocrine system. This can lead to low body temperature, osteoporosis and bone fractures, an irregular heartbeat, a higher risk of coronary artery disease, low white blood cell counts, and a loss of skin pigmentation. Researchers have also reported copper deficiency causes neural and nervous system dysfunction. Copper-replacement therapy has been found to alleviate these symptoms that appear as a B12 deficiency.
– If you have gut issues, your copper is most probably low.
Conditions That Often Lead to Copper Deficiency
If you have one of the following conditions, you may need supplemental copper.
Celiac disease
Cystic fibrosis
Crohn’s disease
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
Menkes disease
– If taking zinc or vitamin C, be sure to balance it with copper as both deplete it.
Zinc and vitamin C have been shown to inhibit copper absorption. The rule of thumb is to counter every 10 mg of supplemental zinc with 1 mg of copper. But it’s only a high intake of zinc (150 mg a day or above) and vitamin C (over 1,500 mg a day) that may induce copper deficiency.
The Iron-Copper Connection
Copper aids iron absorption and the transport of iron to bone marrow for red blood cell formation. Without enough copper, iron accumulates in the liver, heart, endocrine, and reproductive glands. Continued accumulation in these organs can lead to liver failure, heart muscle deterioration, arthritis, and hormonal imbalances.
Iron accumulates like this because the human body has no natural means for removal. The only way the body loses iron is through blood loss. This means when humans ingest iron, it remains in the human body. Iron loss occurs with every menstrual cycle, which is one of the many reasons why women are at a higher risk for anemia and men are at higher risk for iron having too much iron.
Copper balance, on the other hand, is regulated by the body and can be excreted as needed through normal bowel and urinary movement.
The Dangers of Too Much Iron
While iron will accumulate in the liver, heart, and endocrine system, excess iron – or iron overload – can lead to additional health problems. Excess, unused iron oxidizes in the human body and creates free radicals. It’s as if the iron rusts the cells and organs and makes them more susceptible to common diseases. On top of that, iron increases susceptibility to viruses.
Where Do You Get Copper? (At least 25% of people don’t get any)
Most think they get enough copper from their diet considering we don’t need much, however, an article published in the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology notes that copper has been decreasing in Western diets since the 1930s as soils are depleted. These researchers estimate that one-quarter of adults in the United States don’t get their daily requirement of copper.
Ayurvedic medicine recommends drinking water stored overnight in a copper container (see below) first thing in the morning to promote good health and balance all three doshas, as they say it’s the most healing water.
Eat Organic Foods Rich in Copper
Raw Cacao
Cashews
Chickpeas
Raisins
Lentils
Hazelnuts
sunflower seeds
Dried Apricots
Avocado
Sesame seeds
Quinoa
Dark green vegetables especially Turnip greens
Peas
Beans
Green vegetables
Organ Meats such as Liver (Pasture Raised & Organic)
Shellfish such as Oysters
Drinking from a Copper Pitcher
When you might need copper supplements
According to the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, people with sufficient levels of iron can still be anemic. If blood test results show that you’re not getting enough copper, your doctor may recommend that you take supplements. The absorption of copper can also be impaired from very high intakes of iron, usually from supplements.
Like iron, the human body requires copper and zinc in a healthy balance since too much zinc can lower copper levels. You should NOT take copper supplements and zinc supplements at the same time but instead at least two hours apart.
An intake of too much zinc, which is a key ingredient in some over-the-counter cold remedies, can cause irreversible neurological ailments associated with cooper deficiency. Learning how to maintain a proper balance between the two is important in preventing toxicity in the body while ensuring both of the functions of these two minerals is preserved.
The US National Academy of Sciences recommends the ratio 2 mg of copper for every 15 mg of zinc. For example, if you consumed 30 mg of zinc for the day then: (30 x 2) / 15 = 4 mg of copper required to maintain a proper ratio.
Using a Copper Pitcher
The way to get copper in your water is by drinking 2-3 glasses of water that has been stored overnight in a copper vessel. This will have many benefits including killing bacteria, and will help you to obtain enough copper in your diet. Ayurvetic medicine has been recommending this for 4000 years.
The way to get copper in your water is by drinking 2-3 glasses of water that has been stored overnight in a copper vessel. This will have many benefits including killing bacteria, and will help you to obtain enough copper in your diet. Ayurvetic medicine has been recommending this for 4000 years.
What exactly happens when you store water in a copper vessel?
When water is stored in a copper vessel for over eight hours, a very small amount of copper ions dissolves into the water. This process is called Oligodynamic effect which has the ability to destroy a wide range of harmful microbes, molds, fungi etc.
What does Ayurveda say about water in the Copper vessel?
Ayurveda states that when you drink water stored in a copper vessel, it has the ability to balance all the three doshas in our body Vata, Pitta and Kapha and also has many health benefits. This happens because copper vessel positively charges the water. The therapeutic water from a copper vessel is called Tamra jal in Sanskrit or copper water. The traces of copper in a Tamra jal are safe and in fact, healthy.
What does Science Say?
Although the only scientifically proven benefit of copper water is that it is antibacterial, ayurvetic medicine, the oldest known healing system offers this list of benefits from using a copper pitcher
Benefits of water stored in a copper pitcher Include:
– It will prevent water born diseases killing germs including E.coli and S.aureus
– Will help to keep the digestive system healthy by cleansing the stomach helping to remove harmful toxins and eliminating waste.
– Helps function of liver and kidneys
– Help rid the body of infection
– Aids in weight loss
– Aids in heart heath
– Promote healthy skin with the synthesis of melanin and collagen production aiding the skin and slowing aging.
– Help against anemia
– Fights inflammation – helping against the pain of arthritis and other aches.
– Help against asthma
– Regulates thyroid gland
– Adds antioxidants
Make sure the copper pitcher you have meets these standards:
– 100% pure high-grade food-safe copper (Not copper plated or painted). There is no shards or pealing from the copper for the life of the mug or pitcher.
– Handle is welded on, not riveted, leaving in the inside leak free without any glues, non-copper metals, and intact.
Many of the copper water bottles offered on Amazon had way too many bad reviews – bottles arriving dirty, smelling of chemicals, “pure” bottles ended up with the copper flaking off. Some even coated with a toxic lacquer! You want 100% pure copper vessels, not plated or any kind of alloy.
Here are the Ones I Use:
This one is hammered to offer more surface area touching the water.
How to Use the Copper Pitcher:
– Leave it in a pitcher for 6-8 hours at room temperature. Drink about three glasses.
– Drink the water from 32 – 40C degrees (89 – 104F)
– Wash when necessary with a mild soap. If the pitcher oxidizes over time clean with lime or lemon juice.
– Drink 3 glasses a day – Ayurvedic medicine suggests at least 2 glasses upon waking and 1 before bed.
– Take a break every 3 months. According to one source I found it is best to stop for a month after drinking for 3 months.
– Listen to your body, if you have nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, metal taste in your mouth then stop using it. This would however be very rare from just using a copper vessel especially since for most of the last 100 years, copper pipes brought water into your homes, which is mostly not happening any longer.
How Much Copper Is In Copper Water?
This is a very important question as too much or too little copper is not good for us. So, safe supplementation (if necessary), is key. According to this study, water left in a copper vessel for 16 hours contains only 0.016 mg of copper per liter of water. This is 1/20th of the World Health Organization upper limit of safe copper levels in drinking water. The longer water is stored in a copper vessel, the more copper will leach into the water. High levels of copper in the water will result in very bitter, unpleasant water and could (should you actually want to drink bitter, unpleasant-tasting water) cause stomach irritation, nausea, or vomiting.
Requirements & Copper Toxicity: How much do I need?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is around 900 micrograms (mcg) a day for adolescents and adults.
The upper limit for adults aged 19 years and above is 10,000 mcg, or 10 milligrams (mg) a day. An intake above this level could be toxic.
Warning on Zinc & Copper Overdose
Do not exceed the daily maximal intake limit of 45 mg of zinc per day.
The recommended upper limit of copper is 10 mg per day; however, adverse side effects have been shown for sustained levels of 7.8 mg per day according to research published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”
Consult your doctor before supplementing with copper or zinc to ensure it is safe for you and will not interact with any medications you are taking.
