The Copper Dilemma

The information in the post is not medical advice, please consult a medical professional before using health supplements.

Often I observe high levels of Copper in peoples Bioresonance scans. This is usually seen in the brain and nervous system and may be linked to a myriad of physical and mental health problems.

Copper Excess, Stress and Mental Health

Copper is an essential nutrient, however, just like all elements in excess, it can have toxic effects on the nervous system. Copper is an essential nutrient for all biogenic amines, and when copper is elevated, there can be an increase in the production of these biogenic amines; namely, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

https://mineralbalancing.org/integrative-mineral-balancing-blog/molybdenum-for-copper-toxicity

The above information is crucial as a high level of biogenic amines such as Epinephrine (Adrenaline) Dopamine and Serotonin can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety. Aldosterone increases the retention of Copper and depletes Zinc and Magnesium. According to this article by Psychology Today Copper Toxicity can cause Mental Health problems such as Hyperactivity, academic underachievement, learning disabilities, ADHD and autism.

Copper and Estrogen

As copper levels increase beyond healthy levels, the function of the liver becomes disrupted and can therefore no longer neutralise toxic chemicals or estrogen in the blood.

Some sources of xeno-estrogens include: pesticides, plastic, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) growth hormones in animals, petrochemical waste, and the list goes on. One of the major sources of exposure, in my experience, is from plastic. Just as we live in the age of aluminium, we also live in a plastic dominant world.

https://arltma.com/mineral-information/molybdenum/

Estrogen Dominance is a big problem in today’s society as many of the toxins we consume contain xeno – estrogens. Hypothyroidism can be a result of Estrogen Dominance, Autoimmune conditions can also be linked to high levels of Estrogen. Autoimmunity is when our immune system attacks itself, our bodies attack different organs or tissues.

Copper – The Emotional Mineral

Dr Robert Selig puts the connection between Copper, emotion wellbeing and hormonal health quite succinctly by highlighting the crucial balance between our bodies Minerals:

‘Minerals are the spark plugs of life.

When our minerals become imbalanced and are dominated by copper and estrogen, our entire mineral matrix and biochemistry are severely affected.Copper is a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde mineral because when it behaves badly, it becomes one of the most electronegative minerals on the periodic table.It becomes antagonistic to vitals minerals that run your body like magnesium, zinc, iron, molybdenum, and manganese, and it will oxidize vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B1, and folate.It is known as the most emotional mineral because it can change the biochemistry of the brain by affecting serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline levels.This mineral imbalance in the brain leads to many symptoms that cause estrogen dominance’.

https://www.backtonaturalhealth.com/blog/the-connection-between-copper-estrogen-and-cancer

Medical conditions and disorders

Some genetic conditions can also affect your liver’s ability to filter out copper properly. This can result in chronic copper toxicity. Some of these conditions include:

Wilson’s disease
liver disease
hepatitis
anemia (low red blood cell count)
thyroid issues
leukemia (blood cell cancer)
lymphoma (lymph node cancer)
rheumatoid arthritis

Copper and dementia

Two different studies contradict the correlation between copper and dementia. A US study on mice concluded that an excess of ‘free’ copper in the blood would favor the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain which is responsible for Alzheimer disease. Rashid Deane, lead author of the US study, explains that in the amyloid plaques typical of Alzheimer’s there is a high amount of this metal. A study at the British University of Keele published in the February issue of Nature, reaches a diametrically opposite conclusion in that a reduction in the level of copper in the brain may facilitate the deposit of amyloid-beta in the form of senile plaques in Alzheimer’s. The researchers analyzed 60 brains of deceased persons suffering from Alzheimer’s disease: all resulted in a lower amount of copper compared to that present in the brain of healthy individuals.What is certain is that the ‘free’ copper in the blood is highly toxic due to the oxidative stress that it causes.

https://www.global-antiaging-medicine.com/copper-and-dementia/

Copper Antagonists

The brain is a ravenous user of transition metals, especially copper, zinc, and iron. These metals serve as critical cofactors for enzymes that play fundamental roles in the regulation of DNA, cellular metabolism, redox regulation, neuronal firing, and synaptic plasticity. Little wonder, then, that the disruption of metal homeostasis in the brain has been linked to myriad neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-018-0089-1

Molybdenum can be used as a supplement to reduce free copper levels in as low as 540 mcg daily. This dose can encourage the elimination of copper through the urine (John N. Hathcock). Dr Paul Eck used molybdenum to lower high copper levels on a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis.

Copper and Vegan Diet

You do not need to use molybdenum to lower copper in many instances, though it still can be helpful for individuals who have had high copper for many years that have been unsuccessful lowering it. Increasing dietary Zinc or supplementing with Zinc may help to balance your Copper levels, this imbalance in Copper to Zinc ratio may be commonly found within those that are on a plant-based vegan diet.

Excessive consumption of Molybdenum and Zinc can induce a Copper deficiency, and in turn, excessive Copper and Zinc can induce a Molybdenum deficiency. It is therefore recommended that you are supported from a Nutritional Therapist or Functional Medicine practitioner before introducing any supplements or minerals into your diet.