 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
Copper
Copper is essential for the synthesis of haemoglobin, the oxygen carrying protein found in red blood cells; and for the maintainance of the protective sheaths that surround nerve fibres. Copper is also needed for the synthesis of collagen (a protein in connective tissue), and for the proper functioning of the heart. It stimulates the absorption of iron and helps to utilize vitamin C.
Copper deficiency is rare in adults, but infants may develope a type of anaemia characterized by abnormal developement of bones, lungs, nerve tissue, and hair colouring. Symptoms of adult deficiency include anaemia, shortness of breath, fatigue, and depigmentation of the skin. Taking excessively large doses of vitamin C or zinc can interfere with the body's ability to absorb and utilize dietary copper.
More common is copper poisoning. Overdoses of copper can be caused by cooking in unlined copper pots or by leeching from old copper pipes. Copper toxicity can cause depression, vomiting, diarrhoea, hypertension, arthritis, liver disease, and possible heart attacks. It is also suspected to cause at least one form of schizophrenia. People who use water from copper pipes for drinking and cooking, smokers, and women on oral contraceptives are most at risk.
If you have copper pipes you can minimize the risk of copper leeching into cooking or drinking water by letting the tap run for at least a minute (especially first thing in the morning) before using it. This will flush out any copper that has leeched into the water since the tap was last used.
Good dietary sources of copper include lobster, oysters, prawns, liver, kidneys, nuts, whole-grain cereals, prunes, barley, legumes, margarine, dark chocolate, almonds, and molasses.
Content & Updated by Reps Mags (MNU)