Copper : Scientific and Traditional Uses, Part 2

by MedlinePlus

(Page 2 of 4)

Cardiovascular disease prevention / atherosclerosis

The effects of copper intake or blood copper levels on cholesterol, atherosclerosis (cholesterol plaques in arteries), or coronary artery disease remain unclear. Studies in humans have produced inconsistent results, and their interpretation is hindered by the lack of a reliable marker of copper nutritional status. Although severe copper deficiency may cause heart damage (cardiomyopathy) through other mechanisms, as can copper disorders such as Wilson's disease, these conditions are different from heart disease due to atherosclerosis.Laboratory studies: Several studies report that outside the body, free copper is a pro-oxidant which oxidizes low density lipoprotein (LDL; "bad cholesterol") as does the copper-containing protein ceruloplasmin. This has led some scientists to suggest that copper intake may increase the risk of building up atherosclerosis (cholesterol plaques in arteries). However, there is little evidence that copper or ceruloplasmin promotes LDL oxidation inside the human body. Some laboratory research suggests that copper may not cause LDL oxidation. Furthermore, the cuproenzymes superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin may possess antioxidant properties, leading some experts to propose that copper deficiency rather than excess may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Human population studies: Several epidemiologic studies have found that people with relatively higher blood copper levels are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, it is not clear if the elevated levels are causes of disease, or simply markers in the body of some other process that is occurring (without being a cause). In fact, serum copper level largely reflects serum ceruloplasmin, and is not a sensitive indicator of copper nutritional status. More than 90% of serum copper is carried in ceruloplasmin. Serum ceruloplasmin levels can increase by 50% or more during physical stress (trauma, inflammation, disease). There are conflicting results from an autopsy study which found copper levels in heart muscle to be lower in patients who died of heart disease compared to than those who died of other causes. Cholesterol levels: The effect of copper intake on cholesterol levels remains unclear. Some research reports increased blood total cholesterol/LDL and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL; "bad" cholesterol) after copper supplementation, while other studies have found no correlation or even decreased lipid levels.Additional research is necessary in this area before a clear conclusion can be drawn.

Childhood growth promotion

Severe copper deficiency may retard growth. Adequate intake of micronutrients including copper and other vitamins may promote growth as measured by length gains. Copper is a part of the U.S. RDA (recommended daily allowance: 890mcg for adolescents 14-18 years old; 700mcg for children 9-13 years old; 440mcg for children 4-8 years old; 340mcg for children 1-3 years old; 220mcg for infants 7-12 months old; 200mcg for infants 0-6 months old). It is not clear that amounts beyond these recommendations are beneficial, and in fact may be dangerous in high quantities.

Heart disease prevention

Low chronic copper intake has been suggested as a risk factor for heart disease, although it is not clear if increased copper intake is protective.

Immune system function

Copper is involved in the development of immune cells and immune function in the body. Severe copper deficiency appears to have adverse effects on immune function, although the exact mechanism is not clear. For example, low levels of white blood cells may occur (neutropenia), or diminished immune cell function. However, it is not clear if marginal copper insufficiency affects the immune system, or if copper supplementation is beneficial in individuals with normal baseline copper levels.

Marasmus

Copper deficiency may occur in this condition, and supplementation with copper may play a role in the nutritional treatment of infants with this condition. Infants with marasmus should be managed by a qualified healthcare professional.

Menkes' kinky-hair disease

Menkes' kinky-hair disease is a rare disorder of copper transport/absorption. The Menkes' gene codes for a P-type ATPase that has a mutation that prevents copper absorption in the intestine. Copper supplementation may be helpful in this disease, although further research is necessary before a clear management recommendation can be made.

Osteoporosis / osteopenia

Osteopenia and other abnormalities of bone development related to copper deficiency may occur in copper-deficient low-birth weight infants and young children. The copper-dependent enzyme, lysyl oxidase, is required for the maturation (cross-linking) of collagen, a key element in the organic matrix of bone. Osteoporosis has been observed in infants and adults with severe copper deficiency, but it is not clear whether marginal copper deficiency contributes to osteoporosis, or if copper supplementation is beneficial for the prevention/treatment of osteoporosis in individuals who are not copper deficient.Initial animal research reports that supplementation with copper may be helpful in the treatment and/or prevention of osteoporosis, although early human evidence is conflicting, with some positive results and some negative results. The effects of copper deficiency or copper supplementation on bone metabolism and age-related osteoporosis require further research before clear conclusions can be drawn.

Schizophrenia

Some studies of schizophrenic patients report high blood copper levels with low urinary copper (suggesting that copper is being retained), and low blood zinc levels. In some of these cases, zinc was observed to be helpful as an anti-anxiety agent. The role of copper supplementation is not clear.

Sideroblastic anemia

Copper deficiency is one of the causes of sideroblastic anemia that should be considered when evaluating this condition, particularly when the anemia is unresponsive to iron therapy alone. This anemia appears to be caused by defective iron mobilization due to decreased ceruloplasmin activity. Neural-tube defect prevention

The risk of neural-tube defects is decreased in women who take folic acid and multivitamins during the periconception period. Supplementation with trace-elements alone such as copper does not appear to prevent these defects.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Aflatoxin toxicity, allergies, anemia, antibacterial, antioxidant, athletic performance, blood cell development, bone growth, bronchitis, cancer, cataract prevention, decreasing cadmium absorption, depression, ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy, fatigue, fetal development, Hodgkin's disease biomarker, hyperactivity, infertility, learning disabilities, muscle cramps, oral deodorant, Pasteurellainfection, phenylketonuria, plaque, pneumonia, premenstrual syndrome, psoriasis, pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis, rheumatic heart disease, senility, stomach ulcer, vitiligo, weight gain, wound healing.

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