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Copper

Other common name(s): none

Scientific/medical name(s): Cu, cupric oxide, copper sulfate, copper gluconate, copper picolinate, cupric acetate, alkaline copper carbonate

Description

Copper is a required nutrient. It is found naturally in foods such as seafood, liver, green vegetables, whole grains, wheat bran, lentils, and nuts. Copper helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate, and is needed to absorb iron from the gut. It is used to make many important compounds in the body.

Overview

Some laboratory and animal studies have found that copper has antioxidant properties and may have some anti-cancer effects. Other studies have found that high copper levels in the blood were linked with cancer and other diseases. More extensive human studies are needed to determine what role copper may play in the prevention or treatment of cancer.

How is it promoted for use?

There are claims that copper aids the body in functions such as the healing process, expelling toxins from the body, and preventing heart problems. Copper is also used in some preparations of Iscador (a species of European mistletoe) for tumors of the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and kidneys.

There are also claims that copper actually promotes cancer growth. Proponents of this theory recommend a low copper diet and use of chelating agents that bind to copper and promote its elimination from the body (see Chelation Therapy). Available scientific evidence does not support these claims.

What does it involve?

Copper supplements are available in pill or capsule form. Copper is often added to multiple vitamin supplements. However, most people are able to get enough copper in their bodies by eating balanced meals. Fruits and vegetables can provide up to 30% of a person's total copper intake. Some copper is also present in drinking water, and copper pipes can leach extra copper into the water they carry.

The minimum recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for copper is 0.9 milligrams (mg) per day for most adults, 1 mg for pregnant women, and 1.3 mg for women who are breastfeeding. The RDA is enough to meet the needs of most people in these groups. Some people may not get enough copper from foods, especially if they take zinc supplements, which can partly block copper absorption. Large doses of vitamin C supplements can also block copper uptake. People who take zinc supplements or large doses of vitamin C may need to take extra copper to absorb enough. Those with malabsorption diseases or malnutrition may also need extra copper.

What is the history behind it?

While research into the antioxidant properties of copper is quite recent, healing properties have long been attributed to copper in folk medicine. People wear copper bracelets, for example, to help with arthritis. Today, many multivitamins and other herbal and mineral supplements include copper.

What is the evidence?

Copper is a trace mineral that is needed for many important body processes. Animal studies have shown that copper is useful in maintaining antioxidant defenses. Antioxidant compounds block the action of activated oxygen molecules, known as free radicals, which can damage cells. While the involvement of copper in the cancer process via antioxidant effects is still unclear, copper complexes have been shown to have anti-cancer properties in lab studies.

Other lab and animal studies suggest that high copper levels may be linked to liver cancer and brain tumors. More recently, many studies have shown that blood copper levels are higher in several types of cancer as well as in other diseases. To add to the confusion, blood tests can show high copper levels even when there is little copper in the tissues. These high copper levels may be due to injury, disease, or inflammation.

Because copper is needed to form new blood vessels, one group of researchers used a copper-lowering drug to find out if it helped patients with advanced kidney cancer. Some patients' cancers stopped growing during the 6-month treatment period. A few people had low white blood counts during treatment, requiring that treatment be stopped until they recovered. This was a small study, and further research is needed to find out if it can help more people with advanced cancer.

Another study measured copper levels in the blood of people who died from heart disease, and noted that their levels were high. It is not known whether the lab testing truly reflected copper levels in the body tissues, or exactly what caused the high levels. In contrast, a recent study gave copper supplements to healthy women with no signs of copper deficiency. Their cholesterol and triglyceride levels improved, as did some other markers of heart disease risk. This small study did not look at actual heart disease, however. Further research is required to see if copper can affect heart disease risk.

Many people wear copper bracelets for their arthritis, and some people report that their arthritis symptoms are better. However, available scientific evidence does not support claims that the bracelets are effective. A gel form of copper salicylate (an aspirin-copper compound) was found no better than sham gel, although the copper gel produced more rashes. Further research on copper may help determine if any form of copper might be helpful in arthritis.

One lab study showed that the white blood cells of men who had been on a low copper diet did not attack germs as effectively as they had when the same men had received enough copper. An older study in a group of children recovering from malnutrition showed that those who got copper supplements had significantly fewer lung infections than those who got sham supplements. While severe copper deficiency is known to result in poorer immune function, further studies are needed to find out what effect, if any, milder deficiency might have. These studies are hindered by the fact that copper levels in the blood do not always reflect nutritional status.

There is some evidence that trace metals, including copper, iron and zinc, may have a role in forming the brain plaques of Alzheimer disease. However, there is not enough evidence to define the role of copper intake in this process.

At this time, it is hard to say how each nutrient or nutrient combination affects a person’s risk of cancer. On the other hand, studies of large groups of people have shown that those whose diets are high in vegetables and low in animal fat, meat, and/or calories have lower risks for some of the most common types of cancer. Until more is known about this, the American Cancer Society recommends eating a variety of healthful foods -- with most of them coming from plant sources -- rather than relying on supplements. Choose whole grains over refined grains and sugars. Limit high-fat and processed meats. Select foods that help maintain a healthy weight. It is also important to engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity for 30 to 60 minutes 5 or more days per week. For most people, this will help keep weight under control, reduce risk of some cancers, and reap many other health benefits. While it is best to get vitamins and minerals from foods, supplements may be helpful for some people, such as pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and people with restricted food intakes. If a supplement is taken, the best choice for most people is a balanced multivitamin/mineral supplement that contains no more than 100% of the "Daily Value" of most nutrients.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

This product is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike drugs (which must be tested before being allowed to be sold), the companies that make supplements are not required to prove to the Food and Drug Administration that their supplements are safe or effective, as long as they don't claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease.

Some such products may not contain the amount of the herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include other substances (contaminants). Actual amounts per dose may vary between brands or even between different batches of the same brand.

Most such supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.

Copper supplements are considered safe when taken in recommended amounts. Copper toxicity is rare. However, adults are advised not to take more than 10 mg per day due to increased risk of liver damage. (The maximum is lower for children, depending on age.)

Copper overdoses can cause serious problems such as liver damage, kidney failure, coma, and death. Earlier symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and problems with coordination or movement. There may also be behavior problems, such as trouble concentrating, emotional disturbances, or sleepiness.

Copper can interfere with some medicines, so it is helpful to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, herbs, and supplements that you are taking.

People with Wilson Disease (a genetic disorder that allows copper to build up in the body) should not take copper supplements or multivitamins containing copper. Diabetics should also avoid these supplements because copper can affect blood sugar levels.

Problems may happen when a person has too little copper. Copper is required for iron to be absorbed into the body, and is necessary for babies to develop normally. Infants and adults with too little copper can have osteoporosis (weak bones.) In adults, low copper levels can result in anemia (low red blood count) and low white blood cell counts. Low copper levels in adults have been reported to cause muscle spasms in the legs and trouble walking.

Additional Resources

More Information From Your American Cancer Society

The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).

References

Araya M, Olivares M, Pizarro F, et al. Supplementing copper at the upper level of the adult dietary recommended intake induces detectable but transient changes in healthy adults. J Nutr. 2005;135:2367-2371.

Bugel S, Harper A, Rock E, et al. Effect of copper supplementation on indices of copper status and certain CVD risk markers in young healthy women. Br J Nutr. 2005;94:231-236.

Cassileth B. The Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co; 1998.

Castillo-Duran C, Fisberg M, et al. Controlled trial of copper supplementation during the recovery from marasmus. Am J Clin Nutr. 1983;37:898-903.

Davis CD, Feng Y. Dietary copper, manganese and iron affect the formation of aberrant crypts in colon of rats administered 3,2’-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl. J Nutr. 1999;129:1060-1067.

DiSilvestro RA, Sakamoto K, Milner JA. No effects of low copper intake on rat mammary tissue superoxide dismutase 1 activity and mammary chemical carcinogenesis. Nutr Cancer. 1998;31:218-220.

Eaton-Evans J, Mellwrath EM, Jackson WE, McCartney H, Strain JJ. Copper supplementation and the maintenance of bone mineral density in middle-aged women. J Trace Elem Exp Med. 1996;9:87-94.

Finefrock AE, Bush AI, Doraiswamy PM. Current status of metals as therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2003;51:1143-1148.

Ford ES. Serum copper concentration and coronary heart disease among US adults. Am J Epidemiol. 2000;151:1182-1188.

Kelley DS, Daudu PA, Taylor PC, et al. Effects of low-copper diets on human immune response. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;62:412-416.

Kumar N, Gross JB Jr, Ahlskog JE. Copper deficiency myelopathy produces a clinical picture like subacute combined degeneration. Neurology. 2004;63:33-39.

Higdon J. Copper. Available at: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/copper/. Accessed April 13, 2007.

Martin-Lagos F, Navarro-Alarcon M, Terres-Martos C, Lopez-G de la Serrana H, Lopez-Martinez MC. Serum copper and zinc concentrations in serum from patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease. Sci Total Environ. 1997;204:27-35.

Milne DB, Nielsen FH. Effects of a diet low in copper on copper-status indicators in postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996;63:358-364.

PDRhealth. Copper. Available at: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/cop_0083.shtml. Accessed April 13, 2007.

Percival SS. Copper and immunity. Am J Clin Nutr.1998;67(suppl 5):1064S-1068S.

Redman BG, Esper P, Pan Q, et al. Phase II trial of tetrathiomolybdate in patients with advanced kidney cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2003;9:1666-1672.

Renault E, Deschatrette J. Alterations of rat hepatoma cell genomes induced by copper deficiency. Nutr Cancer.1997;29:242-247.

Scheinberg IH, Sternlieb I. Wilson disease and idiopathic copper toxicosis. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996;63:842S-845S.

Shackel NA, Day RO, Kellett B, Brooks PM. Copper-salicylate gel for pain relief in osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 1997;167:134-136.

Spencer JW, Jacobs JJ. Complementary/Alternative Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc; 1999.

Strain JJ. Putative role of dietary trace elements in coronary heart disease and cancer. Br J Biomed Sci. 1994;51:241-251.

US Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. Unconventional Cancer Treatments. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1990. Publication OTA-H-405.

Wu T, Sempos CT, Freudenheim JL, Muti P, Smit E. Serum iron, copper and zinc concentrations and risk of cancer mortality in US adults. Ann Epidemiol. 2004;14:195-201.

Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.

Revised: 06/26/2007

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