Copper (Cu)3

Other Names known as: The element, copper, is listed as Cu on the periodic table.

Copper is a metal that occurs naturally in the environment, and also in plants and animals.

Low levels of copper are essential for maintaining good health.

Copper is a metal that occurs naturally in rocks, soil, water, and air.

Copper is an essential element in plants and animals (including humans), which means it is necessary for us to live.

Therefore, plants and animals must absorb some copper from eating, drinking, and breathing.

Copper is used to make many different kinds of products like wire, plumbing pipes, and sheet metal. U.S. pennies made before 1982 are made of copper, while those made after 1982 are only coated with copper.

Copper is also combined with other metals to make brass, bronze pipes and faucets.

Copper compounds are commonly used in agriculture to treat plant diseases like mildew, for water treatment and, as preservatives for wood, leather, and fabrics.

Home Remedies using Copper:

Benefits and Uses of Copper:

Most of the copper in the body is located in the liver, bones, and muscle, but traces of copper occur in all tissues of the body.

The liver excretes excess copper into the bile for elimination from the body.

Copper is a component of many enzymes. Some of these enzymes are necessary for energy production or for the formation of the hormone epinephrine, red blood cells, bone, or connective tissue (which binds other tissues and organs together).

Other enzymes act as antioxidants. They help protect cells against damage by free radicals, which are reactive by-products of normal cell activity.

Copper deficiency is rare among healthy people. It occurs most commonly among infants who are premature, who are recovering from severe malnutrition, or who have persistent diarrhea.

A severe disorder that impairs absorption of nutrients (such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or cystic fibrosis) may cause this deficiency.

A high intake of zinc or iron can decrease the absorption of copper. Symptoms of copper deficiency include fatigue, bleeding under the skin, damage to blood vessels, and an enlarged heart.

A new finding regarding products such as denture cream have found that excessive Zinc intake has been shown to drive down the body's copper level thus causing a chain reaction affecting the spine.

The symptoms include having difficulty walking and maintaining balance and possible nerve damage. Be cautious when using products such as denture cream that contain high levels of zinc. Always follow instructions on quantity to avoid consuming excessive amounts.

Anemia is common, and the number of white blood cells is decreased.

The diagnosis of copper deficiency is based on symptoms and on blood tests that detect low levels of copper and ceruloplasmin (a protein that contains copper).

Copper is abundant in food and water, but in cases of extreme copper deficiencies, a copper supplement can be taken.

Side Effects of Copper:

High levels can cause harmful effects such as irritation of the nose, mouth and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and even death.

We do not know if copper can cause birth defects or other developmental effects in humans. Studies in animals suggest that high levels of copper may cause a decrease in fetal growth.