Copper - what is it?
Copper, New RDA* 1mg
There is approximately 75 to 150 mg of copper in the adult human body. Newborn infants have higher concentrations of copper than adults. The liver, brain, kidneys, heart, and hair contain relatively high concentrations. The average serum copper levels are higher in adult females than in males. The serum copper levels also increase significantly in women during pregnancy and when taking oral contraceptives.
In the human body, copper is a constituent of several enzymes and is found in combination with several proteins in the blood.
Ceruloplasmin, a copper-containing plasma enzyme, catalyses the oxidation of the ferrous ion to ferric ion, and thereby enables iron to be trapped by transferrin (a protein transporting iron in the blood). It is then transported to tissues for the synthesis of iron-containing compounds, especially haemoglobin.
Copper is found in a wide variety of mineral salts and organic compounds as well as in the metallic form.
*Sourced from EFSA WEBSITE
Copper - what does it do?
Copper has a number of important functions. For example, it helps produce red and white blood cells and triggers the release of iron to form haemoglobin – the substance that carries oxygen around the body and is thought to be important for infant growth, brain development, the immune system and for strong bones.
Copper is an essential micronutrient normally subject to effective homeostatic control. It is involved in the function of several enzymes, including cytochrome c oxidase, amino acid oxidase, superoxide dismutase and monoamine oxidase. Copper is thought to be required for infant growth, host defence mechanisms, bone strength, red and white cell maturation, iron transport, cholesterol and glucose metabolism, myocardial contractility and brain development.
Deficiency
Copper deficiency may result from an inherited defect, such as Menke’s syndrome, or may be an acquired condition. Common clinical features include anaemia, neutropenia and bone abnormalities. Less frequent signs and symptoms include hypopigmentation of the hair, hypotonia, impaired growth, increased susceptibility to infection, abnormalities in metabolism of glucose and cholesterol and cardiovascular changes.
