Colloidal Copper and its Benefits

Copper is one out of the many essential minerals necessary for one’s survival and maintaining balance in body functions.
Due to its multiple benefits, copper is naturally found in body tissues, brain, liver, heart, kidneys, and muscle where it plays a vital role in making red blood cells, maintaining proper organ functioning, and stabilizing the immune system.

Where is Copper Found?

Since our bodies cannot naturally produce copper, it is derived from consuming different types of foods such as red meat, seafood, lentils, cocoa, potatoes, yeast, beans, bran, whole grains, nuts, and molasses, etc.
Since many people cannot consume copper-rich food due to allergy or personal reasons, they often face copper deficiency which leads to several issues. For such people, copper is administered in the form of colloidal copper, which comes in health supplements.

What is Colloidal Copper?

The term colloidal refers to the extraction of minerals from clay deposits. Hence, colloidal copper comes in the form of micro copper particles that have an increased absorption rate than normal copper. Colloidal copper, when consumed, strengthens the immune system and fights deficiencies at a cellular level.

History of Colloidal Copper.

Colloidal copper was first used by the North American tribes and aboriginal communities for medicinal purposes, whereas copper was found to protect the copper workers from cholera during the epidemic in Paris in the 1800s. The French physician Luton also used copper to treat arthritis patients.

Why is Copper Beneficial for Health?

Consuming copper is essential for maintaining both mental and physical well-being as copper deficiency leads to many conditions such as:

Menkes Disease.

Copper deficiency leads to the onset of Menkes disease, which affects the neurodevelopment of infants from around six to eight weeks. An infant having Menkes disease cannot survive after three years of age.
While copper deficiency causes many problems, too much copper is also detrimental to health as it causes:

Alzheimer’s disease.

Excessive accumulation of copper in unusual ways in the brain leads to Alzheimer’s disease as it causes amyloid plaques to build upon a nerve cell. Accumulation of amyloid plaques leads to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Other Factors.

Copper deficiency also leads to various other conditions such as anemia, bone fractures, thyroid problems, and loss of skin pigmentation.

What Causes Copper Deficiency?

Apart from not consuming a copper-rich diet, copper deficiency is also caused by certain factors such as copper absorption problems, genetic defects of copper metabolism, or increased consumption of zinc or vitamin C supplements. Copper deficiency is also caused by certain conditions such as central nervous system demyelination, polyneuropathy, myelopathy, and inflammation of the optic nerve.
Copper deficiency is also reported in infants that are fed cow milk exclusively, prematurely, or children suffering from malnutrition. Apart from that, copper deficiency is also prevalent in children having cystic fibrosis, which refrains absorption of minerals in the body.

Benefits of Copper for the Body

In light of the conditions mentioned above, it can be seen that copper is essential in maintaining proper functioning. In addition, copper has a litany of benefits for the human body, such as:

1. Treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes type 2 is caused by the oxidation of cells lacking metals that insulates the cells and protects them from free radical damage. Since copper deficiency damages tissues and cellular defenses, it leads to the onset of diabetes.

2. Development of Fetus

Many pregnant women facing copper deficiency give birth to underdeveloped fetuses. Copper deficiency also leads to congenital disabilities and premature growth of babies. Hence, copper in sufficient amounts can help in the proper development of babies in the mother’s womb.

3. Hair and Skin Pigment

Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment of the skin present in skin cells called melanocytes that contribute colour to the skin, hair, and eyes. Copper is an essential component of melanin, and melanin is produced with the help of tyrosinase which is derived from copper.
Copper also prevents greying of hair and protecting the colour of eyes with passing age.

4. Stimulates the Brain

Copper is often referred to as brain food due to its countless benefits for the brain. Consuming copper leads to an increase in creativity, intellect, and thinking out of the box. Copper stimulates the development of unique pathways in the brain that increases cognitive functioning and information processing.

5. Boosts Energy and Improves Immunity

Colloidal copper stimulates the production of red blood cells that prevent the onset of anaemia that drains energy and blood count. Copper also increases energy by extracting carbohydrates from the cells and converting them into vital energy. Copper also improves immunity and the body’s defence system.

6. Boosts Collagen Production

Copper boosts collagen production and maintains both collagen and elastin that are essential to keeping the skin tight. The deficiency of copper leads to premature ageing, inability to repair collagen, and joint dysfunctions.

7. Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Copper deficiency leads to an increase in cholesterol levels. Since copper works to convert bad cholesterol into good cholesterol, it prevents the onset of many cardiovascular risks such as palpitations, heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis.

8. Functioning of the Body

Copper is essential in kick-starting many metabolic processes of the body that are necessary for survival.
Not having sufficient copper would slow down the enzymatic reactions and metabolic processes that would lead to hormonal imbalance and slowing down of metabolism.

9. Treats Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is caused by the deficiency of copper and calcium in bones, leading to severe pain, arthritis, and weak bones. Women after hitting menopause are prone to developing osteoporosis due to ageing; therefore, consuming copper in an adequate amount is necessary to maintain bone density.

10. Maintenance of Connective Tissues

Copper is an essential component in producing haemoglobin, collagen, myelin, and melanin. These components are essential in the development and maintenance of connective tissues.

11. Helps in Iron Absorption

Iron is a miraculous mineral that stimulates the production of red blood cells and ensures a smooth flow of oxygen throughout the body. Lack of iron leads to bruising, fatigue, weakness, and the onset of anaemia. For iron to be absorbed in the body, it requires the help of copper.

12. Burn Treatment

Since burns result in a huge loss of copper and other essential minerals, applying colloidal copper directly on wounds and burns aids in the active healing of burns and skin regeneration.

13. Free Radicals Elimination

Free radicals often attack healthy cells by mutating their DNA, leading to the onset of cancer, ageing, and several other diseases. Consuming colloidal copper eliminate ls free radicals due to its antioxidant properties.

14. Boosts Immune Function

People having copper deficiency often suffer from neutropenia, a condition that results from a lack of white blood cells and neutrophils that work together to fight infection.

15. Proper Growth of Organs

Copper is essential for the proper functioning and growth of organs and the healthy growth of the nervous, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems. Being deficient in copper hinders the proper growth of organs and vital systems.

Copper for Skincare

Copper is not just limited to health and wellness. It also works wonders for the skin as consuming a copper-rich diet detoxifies the body, flushes out harmful toxins, and makes your skin glow. Copper can also be applied topically via face masks or cream to open the pore and help fight acne, pimples and various skin issues.

Since copper is an anti-ageing component, it reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crows feet. Copper also tightens the skin due to its ability to maintain collagen and elastin.

Recommended Daily Dosage of Copper

The recommended daily dosage of copper is 10,000 mcg or 10 milligrams per day for adults above 19 years of age. Taking excessive amounts of copper higher than 10 mg would lead to copper toxicity.
For infants and toddlers up to 12 months of age, copper should be received via formula. For children aged 4 to 8 years of age, copper intake should be 3,000 mcg per day, and for teenagers aged 14 to 18 years of age, copper intake should be 8,000 mcg per day.

Side Effects of Copper

Copper is a safe supplement and does not lead to major risks. However, if you experience nausea, vomiting, fever, low blood pressure, digestive problems, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain, then stop taking copper immediately and consult your doctor. In rare cases, copper might lead to cirrhosis, jaundice, abnormalities in red blood cells, and heart problems.

Risks of Copper

Colloidal copper supplements are usually safe for health and do not lead to severe problems. However, it is advised to consume only ten milligrams of copper per day as excessive consumption might lead to some risks. Certain factors lead to copper toxicity, such as drinking water having high levels of copper from the well or using cooking pots made up of copper.
Copper can also interfere with birth control pills, aspirin, penicillamine, and zinc supplements. Copper consumption might be risky for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, for small children as they cannot break down the liver, and for people having kidney or liver issues.

References:
https://traceminerals.org/
https://www.copperh2o.com/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
https://nutrinoche.com/
https://www.healthline.com/