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| Copper Deficiency |
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  Copper:
Are You Getting Enough?
At least 20 percent of the population suffers from a deficiency of
copper, a trace mineral that is essential to good health. Yet few
people are aware of the health disorders that are associated with
copper deficiency:
• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic conditions involving bone, connective tissue, heart
and blood vessels
• Colon cancer
In infants and children, copper deficiency may result in anemia, bone
abnormalities, impaired growth, weight gain, frequent infections (colds,
flu, pneumonia), poor motor coordination and low energy.
Even a mild copper deficiency, which affects a much larger percentage
of the population, can impair health in subtle ways. Symptoms of mild
copper deficiency include:
• Lowered resistance to infections
• Reproductive problems
• General fatigue
• Impaired brain function
What causes copper deficiency?
You may get a copper deficiency if you:
• Eat a poor diet
• Suffer digestive disorders, prolonged bouts of diarrhea or
liver problems
• Improperly take micronutrient supplements, especially iron
and zinc
Who is most at risk for copper deficiency?
Those who are most susceptible to copper deficiency include:
• The elderly, athletes and those engaged in hard physical work
• Vegetarians, particularly those who do not consume dairy products
• Pregnant women and their fetuses
• Premature infants, especially those with very low birth weights
• Full-term infants who are fed unfortified formula or cow's
milk (which contains low concentrations of copper bound to milk proteins)
What can I do to prevent copper deficiency?
Eating a balanced diet, with a range of food from different food groups,
is the best way to avoid copper deficiency.
What to Eat.
The best dietary sources of copper are:
• seafood, especially shellfish
• organ meats
• whole grains
• nuts
• raisins
• legumes
• chocolate
Also good are:
• cereals
• yamso potatoes
• peas
• red meat
• dark green leafy vegetables, some fruits, such as coconuts,
papayas and apples.
Copper supplements can prevent copper deficiency, but they should
be taken only under a doctor's supervision. A doctor may prescribe
copper supplements for patients who:
• Have illnesses that reduce digestion
• Are unable to eat sufficient quantities of food
• Take medications that block the use of copper (such as antacids
and some prescription drugs)
o Are recovering from other serious illness or injury
o Are at risk for osteoporosis
How can I be sure my infant gets sufficient copper?
To protect infants from copper deficiency (under a doctor's supervision):
• Pregnant and nursing women should increase their dietary intake
of copper
• Nursing during the first six to twelve months of life is the
best way of delivering copper to newborns
• If infants are fed fortified milk, they should have a balanced
set of nutrients, especially copper, zinc and calcium
• If infants are given cow's milk, copper supplementation is
essential (since cow's milk does not contain essential copper)
• Copper supplementation may be needed for premature and low
birth-weight infants and for infants with diarrhea and frequent infections.
Remember . . . A mild copper deficiency is difficult to diagnose,
yet the condition can increase the risk of many health problems, particularly
among the very young and the elderly. If you think you or your child
may require a copper supplement, discuss this with your doctor. |
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