The Health Benefits of Copper

Despite being a lesser known component of our bodies, copper plays a fundamental role in keeping you alive.

 

Commonly found in meats like the liver and in vegetables and seafood like the oyster, copper is an important nutrient, and the lack of which may cause a great deal of health complications

 

On the other hand, having an appropriate amount of copper in your body can bring many health benefits that we will cover below:

 

With copper being such an important yet mysterious part of maintaining good health, we have compiled the many health benefits into this easy to read article.

 

Cardio-Vascular

 

Recent studies have linked low amounts of copper with high cholesterol and blood pressure. They say  taking supplements of the nutrient may help treat such conditions.

An article published by the European Heart journal suggests that patients with symptoms of heart failure also stand to gain from including copper supplements into their diet.

Copper also contributes to the overall health of your blood by helping it absorb iron and produce red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen through your body.

Studies have also linked low copper levels with cardiovascular disease in animals, although a similar link in humans has not yet been fully proven.

 

Immunity

 

Neutropenia, that is a lack of the white cells responsible for dealing with threats in your organism has also been tied with copper deficiency, or at least a low copper intake.

 

A person with a low level of neutrophils, which require copper, will be more susceptible to infectious diseases. Maintaining a healthy level of copper will ensure you keep a good contingent of white cells in your body.

 

Bone Density

 

Copper also has great importance when it comes to preventing two diseases that attack the density of your bones: Osteoporosis and Osteopenia.

 

Osteoporosis attacks the overall density, making them porous, brittle and susceptible to fractures.

 

Osteopenia, on the other hand, is a precursor to osteoporosis, and attacks the mineral density of your bones specifically.

 

Although the subject is still being debated, the scientific community has good reason to believe that copper can help to prevent and even treat both of these conditions.

 

Collagen

 

Another use for copper is found in your body’s production of collagen and elastin, both important components of our body structure, from skin to bone ligaments.

 

Scientists defend that copper has anti-oxidant properties and may, along with other anti-oxidants, prevent skin aging and elasticity loss.

 

A copper deficient body will also not be able to replace the old connective tissue, nor the collagen that composes the scaffolding of its bones.

 

Cognitive stimulation

 

Copper is also a part of how the neurons in your brain work, and can be used as a neural stimulant.

 

A study devised by Dr Chris Chang of the Sackler Sabbatical Exchange Program found that higher amounts of copper in a neuron diminish its signalling ability to communicate with the other neurons, as the copper levels diminish, signalling resumes.

 

In other words, when it comes to neural signalling, copper plays the part of a switch, opening neural paths and improving thought process speed and your creativity. Interesting right ?

 

If you'd like to start to take advantage of the amazing natural benefits of a copper but while you're on the go, take a look at our copper water bottles here.

 

  

Always talk to your doctor before you make any changes to your health routine. This blog is just meant to be a resource for information widely available on copper and is in no way medical or professional advice or an official recommendation in any way. Always do your own research.