Inflammation is the body’s response to the harmful stimuli it encounters. While it’s a normal part of wound healing, in the body, chronic inflammation is often the result of external factors such as stress, UV rays, medication side effects, hormonal imbalance, and others.
In cases where these external factors aren’t at play or you’d like to supplement an anti-inflammatory diet, an anti-inflammatory supplement might be a good solution. One such mineral that may have anti-inflammatory properties is Copper.
The benefits of copper help to fight back against a set of diseases impacting people today. It’s also involved in many functions, including how you digest food and absorb nutrients.
This article will teach you why copper helps to fight these illnesses and what foods contain it, the uses, and the side effects.
What is copper?
This mineral has many uses in the human body, including balancing the immune system and healing wounds,
This is a mineral that plays an important role in the body including balancing an immune system and healing wounds, it helps maintain blood sugar levels, supports connective tissue and bone health, and regulates iron absorption.
It is also essential to the production of red blood cells and helps maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails.
10 symptoms of this mineral deficiency:
Copper deficiency can occur in the body when the consumed amount of this mineral is lower than what your body needs.
Symptoms of deficiency include:
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues, including nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.
- Anemia
- Impaired immune system function
- Hair loss
- Weak fingernails
- Dry, rough skin
- Blood sugar irregularities (hypoglycemia)
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Joint pain and inflammation.
The best 10 benefits:
1. It is a great source of antioxidants.
2. It aids in the absorption of iron.
3. It helps to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues and organs.
4. It helps to maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails.
5. It is necessary for normal growth and development in infants and children.
6. It is involved in the production of collagen, which helps to keep skin firm and elastic.
7. It plays an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system by strengthening white blood cells (which help fight infection).
8. It has antimicrobial properties (which means it kills germs)
9. It helps maintain strong bones by promoting bone formation and protecting against osteoporosis later in life, which means less chance of broken bones as you get older!
10. Can reduce the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer
The best food sources.
This mineral is found in a variety of foods and beverages. Some of the best sources include:
Leafy greens:
- broccoli
- spinach
- lettuce
Fruits:
- cranberries
- grapes
- raisins
Nuts:
- cashews
- almonds
- walnuts.
Seeds:
- Chia
- pumpkin
- sesame.
Legumes:
- beans
- peas
- chickpeas
- lentils.
Seafood:
- crab
- lobster
- prawns
- shrimp
- clams
- oysters
- callops
- octopus.
Whole grains:
- oatmeal
- brown rice
- rye
- buckwheat
- bulgur
- millet.
Beef liver
Cocoa powder
Water.
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6 Uses
This mineral is needed for:
- Blood clotting
- Energy production
- Eye Health
- Improve your senses of smell and taste.
- Supports nervous system function.
- Protecting and repairing your DNA, which is essential for cell growth, development, and maintenance.
Daily dosage
The amount of this mineral you need from food varies depending on your age and sex.
Infants need about 0.3 milligrams per day, children between ages seven and 10 need about 1 milligram daily, men ages 11 through 14 need 2 milligrams per day and women in this age group need 1.5 milligrams daily.
Adults ages 15 through 18 should consume 8 milligrams daily while adults 19 years or older need 8 to 10 milligrams each day.
Copper supplements
Deficiency of this mineral can cause several problems, including anemia, osteoporosis, low birth weight in infants, reduced fertility in men and women, and increased risk for heart disease. In older adults, copper deficiency may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
The supplements can be taken in the form of pills or liquid drops. These supplements are available as copper gluconate or copper sulfate. Copper gluconate is more bioavailable than copper sulfate.
8 Side Effects
It’s important to note that too much copper can be harmful as well as beneficial. High levels have been linked with anemia, liver damage, and even death in some cases.
Copper toxicity can lead to many side effects that may include:
- anemia (low red blood cell count) or iron deficiency anemia (IDA)
- vomiting and diarrhea
- joint pain or arthritis
- kidney stones or bladder stones
- abdominal cramps
- headache
- hair loss
- loss of appetite.
Conclusion:
Copper has a long list of health benefits, and it just might help you live a longer, happier life. It’s an inexpensive mineral included in a healthy diet that can’t hurt and may help prevent certain diseases including Alzheimer’s, osteoarthritis, depression, and even heart disease.
All in all, it’s a powerful addition to any diet, and something worth considering if you aren’t consuming enough currently.
I hope you found your read here enlightening and informative. There are so many more things that you can do with this wonderful, natural element.
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References:
1. 8 Health Benefits Of Copper, Deficiency Signs, & Side Effects — https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-copper-for-skin-hair-and-health/
2. Cooper Mineral — https://www.lifepharmacy.com/blog/copper-mineral/
3. You Are What You Eat: Choose Foods that Boost Immunity and Fight Infections — https://www.uchealth.com/en/media-room/covid-19/boost-immunity-with-food
4. Cooper — https://foodminerals.org/copper/