Copper

What is copper?

Copper is an essential trace element, that you need to stay healthy. Copper is found in all body tissues and plays a role in making red blood cells and maintaining nerve cells and the immune system.

What is its function and what are its benefits?

Your body uses copper to carry out many important functions, including energy production, iron metabolism, connective tissue and neurotransmitter synthesis. Copper also helps maintain the nervous and immune systems, and activates genes.

Copper has an antioxidant effect, and thus helps fight against free radicals. However, consumed in excess, it can generate the production of hydroxyl radical, one of the most aggressive free radicals.

Copper is also necessary for both the formation of hemoglobin and spermatogenesis (but here again, too much copper can have a negative impact on the mobility of spermatozoa). It also facilitates the assimilation of iron.

Where to find it?

Copper is found mainly in meat, seafood, tofu, mushrooms, nuts, legumes (lentils, peas, etc.), parsnips, certain vegetables and fruits (pears, peaches, cooked leeks, kiwis, green beans, quinces, etc.), and chocolate.

Deficiency and excess

Both too much and too little copper can affect how the brain works. Impairments have been linked to Menkes, Wilson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease. Deficiency is rare, but it can lead to cardiovascular disease and other problems.

A copper deficiency can have negative effects on health, but it is rare in healthy people who follow a balanced diet. Nutrient requirements should first be met through foods, and then supplements can be used as a backup. Anyone who is considering taking a supplement should first check with a doctor.