We might think that copper has something to do with wires and electronics, But it is also an important mineral for the body that we obtain when we eat some types of seafood, nuts, vegetables, fruits and other foods.
Copper plays a role in many organs and systems of the body. It helps with:
- Making red blood cells
- Maintaining nerve cell health
- Support your immune system
- collagen formation, It is a protein that helps in the formation of bones and tissues
- Protect cells from damage
- Absorption of iron in your body
- Converting sugar into energy
Since copper plays a role in these important tasks, It can help avoid certain conditions, Such as:
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Osteoporosis (bone loss, It is often found in women)
Recommended quantity:
Our body does not need a lot of copper, But when its percentage is low, Our health may be affected. We need larger quantities as we age. The recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for copper are:
- From birth to age 3 years: 200 micrograms – 340 micrograms
- Ages 4-8: 440 micrograms
- Ages 9-13: 700 micrograms
- Ages 14-18: 890 micrograms
- Ages 19 and up: 900 micrograms
- pregnant women: 1000 micrograms
- Breastfeeding women: 1300 micrograms
It is rare for a serious deficiency of copper in the body to occur. But some signs that indicate the need for more of it are:
- Anemia
- Low body temperature
- Bone fractures and loss of bone mass
- Low white blood cell count
- Heart arrhythmia
- Pale skin
- Thyroid problem
Copper sources
Many foods contain copper. Eating more of them will help you meet your daily needs. The most important of them are:
- sea food
- meat
- Nuts
- Legumes (lentils, soybeans, navy beans)
- Chocolate or cocoa
- Enriched grains
- fruits and vegetables
- black pepper
People with certain health conditions may need to take copper supplements. like:
- Intestinal diseases such as digestive disorders
- Kidney disease
- Pancreatic disease
- Stomach removal
- High amounts of constant stress
- Burns on your body
- Eat large amounts of zinc
- menkes disease, It is a genetic disorder that makes it difficult to absorb copper
To get more copper, Your doctor may suggest taking copper tablets or a multivitamin that contains copper. The dosage and how often you take it depend on your condition. For people with Menkes disease, Doctors may prescribe copper injections.
Note:
It is important to balance the amount of copper and zinc in the body. If you take copper supplements, You should also take zinc supplements. Be careful not to take both supplements at the same time. It is preferable to leave at least two hours in between
In case of overdose:
- It is rare to have a large amount of copper in your system. But it is possible. Some people take supplements even though they already have enough copper.
- Some people get a little extra copper without even knowing it. It can leach into food from certain types of cookware.
- – If you drink well water or water that passes through copper pipes, You may get more copper than most people.
- Pregnancy, birth control pills, infections, inflammation, and stress can increase copper levels in the blood.
- Wilson’s disease is a condition that causes a buildup of copper in the brain, eyes, liver and kidneys. If you have this disease or genetic conditions such as idiopathic copper poisoning or childhood cirrhosis, You should not take copper supplements.
Symptoms of excess copper:
- nausea
- vomiting, Especially black or bloody
- stomach pain
- headache
- Dizziness
- wickness
- Diarrhea
- Metallic taste in the mouth
A dangerous buildup of copper in the body can cause copper toxicity. This is a rare but life-threatening condition that can cause:
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Liver damage
- Yellow skin
- Brain diseases
- coma
Prepared by: Dalal idris
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