Copper

Copper is an essential trace dietary mineral. Copper works with iron to help the body form red blood cells. It also helps keep the blood vessels, nerves, immune system, and bones healthy. Copper also aids in iron absorption. Copper is a cofactor for diamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down histamine, a chemical released by mast cells. Copper deficiency is associated with increased tryptase, a marker of mast cell activation. And it is also necessary for creating collagen. Lysyl oxidase is an extracellular copper-dependent enzyme that acts on lysines and hydroxylysines to crosslink collagen and elastin, which is essential for stabilization of collagen fibrils and for the integrity and elasticity of mature elastin.

Copper deficiency

 * Overconsumption of zinc can interfere with the absorption of copper. This imbalance can contribute to the development of coronary heart disease.
 * Copper deficiency (along with zinc and manganese) can contribute to oxidative stress. However, excessive levels of copper and manganese may do the same.
 * Copper deficiency may reduce calcium absorption

Clinical use

 * Martin Pall recommends taking a low dose of copper in his Pall protocol

Learn more

 * Copper - Merck Manual
 * Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center - Copper
 * Wikipedia - Copper