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| Quick Facts |
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  What
do we know about the benefits of copper to human health?
Copper is essential for life, which means that the human body must
have copper to stay healthy. In fact, for a variety of biochemical
processes in the body to operate normally, copper must be a part of
our diet. Copper is needed for certain critical enzymes to function
in the body. These enzymes are involved with energy metabolism - the
way that the body gives you the energy to function. Too little copper
in the body can actually lead to disease. In addition, copper is involved
in the functioning of the nervous system, in maintaining the balance
of other useful metals in the body such as zinc and molybdenum, and
possibly other body functions. Scientists around the globe are continually
learning more about the body's need for copper and its benefits in
the normal diet.What are the main sources of copper intake in daily
living? The main source of copper in infants, children, and adults,
regardless of age, is the diet. Copper is a natural ingredient in
many foods. Copper is typically present in mineral rich foods like
vegetables (potato), legumes (beans and peas), nuts (peanuts and pecans),
grains (wheat and rye), fruits (peach and raisin), and, yes, even
chocolate!
What are other sources of copper intake?
Drinking water. Copper is a natural element found in the earth's
crust. As a result, most of the world's surface water and ground water
that is used for drinking purposes contains copper. The actual amount
of copper varies from region to region, depending on how much is present
in the earth, but in almost all cases the amount of copper in water
is extremely low. Naturally occurring copper in drinking water is
safe for human consumption. Copper tubing that carries residential
tap water properly regulated for its chemical composition can also
be a source of copper in drinking water under very specific conditions
(see below).
Dust and particles. Copper is used in many consumer products.
In a small number of these products, copper is released during the
course of their normal use. An example is copper in roadway dust,
shed from automobile brakes during their normal use.
Copper cookware. Certain foods prepared and left to sit for
an extended period of time in unprotected copper cookware may contain
copper transferred from the cookware surface. Modern-day copper cookware,
which usually has an inner cooking surface of another material like
tin or stainless steel, does not release copper and is safe for use
in food preparation.
What about copper water tube as a source of copper in drinking
water?
In many regions of the world, copper is carried to the drinking water
tap by copper tubing. For the better part of a century, communities
have had practical experience in keeping drinking water clean, and
in using copper plumbing as the preferred method for carrying drinking
water. Conclusive scientific studies allow us to say that copper plumbing
keeps drinking water clean by keeping down microbial growth, and reduces
the need for overly aggressive water treatment to keep the water clean.
Copper plumbing tube leaches a small amount of copper in the first
year or two of delivering tap water in residences and public buildings.
Afterward, the inner surface of the tube forms a hard surface that
retards leaching, unless certain chemical characteristics of water
in the tubes exceed acceptable limits used by regulators responsible
for protecting the drinking water supply.
Are there any health hazards from exposure to copper from these
sources?
Like all substances, excessive copper can make people ill when ingested.
Copper toxicity in humans takes the form of stomach upset, nausea,
and diarrhea, and stops when the high copper source is removed. These
effects are noted at copper levels far in excess of the World Health
Organization limits for copper in drinking water. In extremely rare
cases, particularly among those people with rare genetic conditions,
copper can be more toxic, adversely affecting various bodily functions
and organs. Through research, we continue to learn what happens to
copper in the body. The strong scientific opinion is that small amounts
of copper in drinking water are not a human health hazard. An expert
panel of the World Health Organization has concluded that copper deficiency
is much more of a global problem than copper toxicity.
Are there any special populations who are at risk?
People with poor diets, often including the elderly not able to care
for themselves and people in places where it is hard to get good nutrition,
may not take in enough copper to meet the body's needs. In addition,
a small number of people in rare cases have genetic sensitivities
that make it difficult for them to either absorb copper when the body
needs it (Menke's Disease) or get rid of it when the body does not
need it (Wilson's Disease). We now can define the genetic bases of
these diseases. And, contrary to common myth, the fetus, infants,
and children are not particularly susceptible to copper toxicity.
In fact, the fetus, late in development, actually stores copper in
preparation for nutritional needs after birth. Recent research has
revealed that the very young have special biochemical mechanisms for
adequately managing copper in the body while their permanent life-long
mechanisms develop and mature.
Do I need to limit my exposure to copper?
In short, no, unless you know you have Wilson's Disease. Quite the
contrary, you should be sure that your diet includes sufficient copper,
as an essential element, to meet your body's needs. Many people actually
take copper-containing tablets as a nutritional supplement.
So what is the bottom line on copper and human health?
Copper is an essential nutrient required by the body in daily dietary
amounts of 1 to 2 milligrams for adults (1/2 to 1 milligram for children).
This can be obtained by eating normal amounts of the copper-rich foods
indicated earlier. Copper water tube actually helps to keep water
clean. Copper water tube releases copper to drinking water in small
amounts when the tube is new or when the water in the tube has certain
chemical characteristics. For the general population, copper is not
toxic during the normal course of daily life. However, certain individual
with rare genetic disease (i.e., Wilson's Disease) need to be vigilant
about monitoring the levels of copper in their bodies and managing
it in consultation with their physicians. |
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