What are the symptoms and hazards of copper deficiency

The health of our body is inseparable from a series of life elements, such as calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamins ABCD, etc., which are indispensable to us. Many people will strengthen the supplementation of these life elements during their growth period because they think that doing so will help their future physical health. Copper is also a substance we need. For people who are usually picky eaters, copper deficiency is a common phenomenon. So what are the symptoms and dangers of copper deficiency?

Copper is an essential trace element for the human body. It is widely distributed in biological tissues. Most of it exists in the form of organic complexes, many of which are metalloproteins and play functional roles in the form of enzymes. Each copper-containing protein enzyme has its own clear physiological and biochemical role. Many electron transfer and redox reactions involving oxygen in biological systems are catalyzed by copper-containing enzymes, which are vital to life processes.

In 1928, Hart reported that anemia in rats could only be corrected by supplementing copper with iron, so copper was considered an essential element for mammals. It took 10 years after Menke's disease was discovered in 1962 to be considered to be caused by copper absorption disorder. Copper was demonstrated to be a normal component of blood in the 18th century, and its toxicity was described in the late 19th century.

Copper is widely present in various foods. Oysters, shellfish and nuts are good sources of copper, followed by animal liver, kidney, cereal germ, beans, etc. After copper in the diet is absorbed, it is transported to the liver through the portal blood, incorporated into ceruloplasmin, and then released into the blood and transmitted to tissues throughout the body. Most of the endogenous copper is excreted into the gastrointestinal tract together with the unabsorbed copper from food and excreted from the body. A small amount of copper is excreted through other pathways. Copper is absorbed primarily in the small intestine and to a lesser extent in the stomach.

When dietary copper levels are low, active transport predominates; when dietary copper levels are high, passive absorption plays a role. Age and gender had no significant effect on copper absorption. Copper absorption may be regulated by the body's need for copper, and copper-thioproteins are involved in the regulation of copper absorption.

The intake of other nutrients in the diet affects the absorption and utilization of copper, but the required content is relatively high, including zinc, iron, molybdenum, vitamin C, sucrose and fructose.

The main excretion route of copper is through bile to the gastrointestinal tract, and then recovered with saliva, gastric acid, and intestinal fluid. The copper that enters the gastrointestinal tract and a small amount of copper from small intestinal bacteria are excreted in the feces, but a small part is reabsorbed.

Physiological functions

Copper is both an original oxidant and an antioxidant. The biochemical function of copper in the body is mainly catalysis. Many copper-containing metal enzymes act as oxidases and participate in the redox process in the body, especially the reduction of oxygen molecules to water. Many copper-containing metal enzymes have been confirmed in the human body and have important physiological functions.

1. Components of copper-containing enzymes and copper-binding proteins.

2. Maintain normal hematopoietic function

Copper is involved in iron metabolism and red blood cell production.

3. Promote the formation of connective tissue.

4. Maintain the health of the central nervous system Copper plays an important role in the onset of some hereditary and sporadic neurological disorders in the central nervous system.

5. Promote normal melanin formation and maintain normal hair structure.

6. Protect the body's cells from damage by superoxide anions.

7. Copper has a certain effect on lipid and sugar metabolism. Copper deficiency can increase the cholesterol level in the blood of animals, but excessive copper can cause lipid metabolism disorders. Copper also plays an important role in the regulation of blood sugar. Glucose tolerance decreases after copper deficiency. For some diabetic patients who are not responsive to conventional treatments, treatment with small doses of copper ions can often significantly improve the condition and lower blood sugar.

8. Copper also affects immune function, hormone secretion, etc. Although copper deficiency has an impact on immune function indicators, copper supplementation cannot reverse it.

Need people

As long as you consume enough unrefined grains, fresh green vegetables, and animal offal, you don't have to worry about copper deficiency.

Physiological needs

The recommended intake (AI) for adults is 2 mg per person per day; the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for adults is 8 mg/d.

Excessive performance

Acute toxic reactions to large doses of copper include a metallic taste in the mouth, upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. Ingestion of 100 g or more of copper sulfate can cause hemolytic anemia, liver failure, kidney failure, shock, coma, or death.