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Nutritional copper is believed to be beneficial in
helping overcome chronic inflammation, gray
hair, cancer, parasites,
arthritis, skin wrinkles and joint
problems such as arthritis, bursitis and rheumatism.
Studies have been published that further establish the
negative effects of copper deficiency in humans. Copper
is of vital importance for many reasons: protects us from
cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis,
free radicals, and cancer.
Copper is also vital for keeping our skin, blood vessels
and connective tissue supple and elastic. These
well-documented findings came as a surprise to many who
had been misled to believe that copper should be avoided
because it is toxic and can generate free radicals.
Not only is copper relatively non-toxic, but a deficiency
of copper raises free-radical activity in our bodies by
lowering the activity of many of our endogenous
antioxidant peptides like super oxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin, and glutathione peroxidase. Indeed a
deficiency of copper that increases an animal's damage
from free radicals and increases its susceptibility to
cancer. Most of us do not consume even 50% of the
recommended 2-3 milligrams of copper daily, research
showing a negative effect of both zinc and ascorbic acid
supplements on copper status was alarming for supplement
users. Chronic copper deficiency results in anemia,
leukopenia, and skeletal
demineralization, sub clinical copper deficiency
in adult animals is hard to detect and can cause
instability in heart rhythm, hyperlipidemia, thrombotic
heart disease, and breakdown of vascular tissue. Benefits
of good copper nutrition is obvious, especially for those
people consuming supplements of dietary copper
antagonists like zinc and ascorbic acid.
Some companies manufacture multivitamin or mineral
products that contain little or no copper (and worse with
high doses of vitamin C & Zinc), and do not worry
about the possible consequences. Remember the fundamental
importance of adequate copper in good nutrition. Because
copper supplements are inexpensive, its importance has
generally been overlooked. If copper were a high-priced
nutrient it would have many vocal supporters pointing to
its vital importance and remarkable health-promoting
properties.
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