7 mins
Copper
The article in a few key points
Copper is a trace element naturally present in our body. Antioxidant, key element in bone formation, defender of our immunity or even anti-inflammatory, its virtues are multiple and very necessary for our body.
It is important to supplement with copper if your diet does not provide you with enough, in order to avoid all the constraints imposed by a copper deficiency: chronic fatigue, recurrent illnesses, memory loss, etc.
Our body requires between 1.5 and 3 mg of copper per day.
Copper is an essential trace element for the body. It is notably involved in the formation of bones, but not only that. It helps strengthen the immune system and the general functioning of the body. Anti-inflammatory and producer of melanin, copper never ceases to surprise us and above all, to help us feel in great shape all year round!
What is copper?
Copper is an essential trace element for our body. Present naturally in our body, it is stored at 50 to 120 mg for an adult in our body.
Copper is not synthesized by our body, it is therefore necessary to provide it through our diet. It will then be excreted in the bile and part in the urine, allowing the elimination of dietary copper not absorbed during the day.
This essential mineral participates in the production of red blood cells and the maintenance of nerve cells, whose primary function is to propagate information and create connections between neurons. In addition, it is an essential link in protecting the immune system .
As you will have understood, the benefits of copper are numerous, so it is difficult to do without it. We'll explain everything below!
Copper sources
The main source of copper is food . Since copper is not synthesized by our body, to benefit from it you must consume it through certain foods.
The most important dietary sources of copper include shellfish, seeds and nuts, organ meats, cereals, wheat bran, whole grain products and chocolate.
Drinking plenty of water is a solution to increase the level of copper in the body, although the quantities are relatively small.
Other sources of copper:
- liver ;
- potatoes ;
- tofu;
- chickpeas ;
- the salmon ;
- the lawyers.
When the quantity of copper is insufficient due to a health problem or a poor or unbalanced diet, the consumption of foods rich in copper will help respond to the emergence of a deficiency.
Copper deficiency: what are the consequences?
Maintaining a normal level of copper in the body is essential to avoid deficiencies.
If modern diets make copper deficiency rare, the lack of variety and the consumption of processed products increase the risk of deficiency.
Other causes of a lack of copper can be celiac disease, excessive zinc consumption or digestive tract disease.
The symptoms of copper deficiency are:
-
chronic fatigue : copper deficiency is one of the reasons for a feeling of permanent fatigue and muscle weakness. Copper deficiency leads to a reduction in iron absorption, making the body more fragile;
-
the triggering of repeated illnesses : if genes can play a role, the tendency to fall sick regularly is one of the signs of low copper levels. The body then has the greatest difficulty protecting itself and coping with infections. This type of deficiency is associated with a reduction in the production of neutrophils, white blood cells which have a central function in protecting the immune system;
- memory loss and learning difficulties : one of the symptoms of copper deficiency is the appearance of amnestic disorders corresponding to an inability to memorize or remember recent events. Copper will provide the brain with energy and help it eliminate waste and toxins produced by brain activity. Their accumulation can cause a slowdown in cognitive connections.
What are the benefits of copper?
Do you feel exhausted from the start of the day or do you often get sick? Discover the benefits of copper below, which could be the solution to your problems:
Copper fights oxidative stress
Oxidative stress gradually degrades our cells. It encourages the production of free radicals causing an imbalance or even the development of pathologies in the skin or hair.
The consequence ? Premature aging and the appearance of cancerous diseases such as skin cancer. Copper will naturally protect the body's cells against the negative effects of free radicals, but also external factors such as pollution, tobacco or UV rays.
Copper participates in the production of melanin
Copper contributes to the production of melanin, a pigment which is involved in skin coloring.
Copper has anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to protect against disease or possible injury. This mechanism in your body can be triggered chronically due to high stress levels, consumption of tobacco, sugar or prolonged inactivity and can last for a period of time (i.e. the time it takes to your body to eliminate the original cause).
Copper contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissues
Connective tissues correspond to the cells of various organs and blood. Their role is to protect other tissues, ensure the transport of nutrients and strengthen the body's immune defenses. The antioxidant function of copper helps to effectively eliminate waste accumulated by the body.
Copper ensures normal energy metabolism
Energy metabolism represents the chemical reactions in the body's cells that are responsible for producing energy. Copper is involved in particular in the oxidation of glucose and its biochemical synthesis, which contributes to good energy metabolism essential for making the body function.
Copper contributes to good bone health
Scientific studies have shown that copper supplementation provides an effective response to the bone abnormalities that copper-deficient infants may encounter. It is also important for postmenopausal women in whom the cessation of estrogen production results in a more or less significant slowdown in the formation of bone tissue.
Copper supports heart function
Although copper deficiency is rare, it can nevertheless have disabling consequences such as the sudden onset of heart disease. Copper is one of the essential trace elements for strengthening blood vessels and reducing the risk of cardiac hypertrophy, a little-known symptom that results from a lack of copper.
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How to choose the right copper food supplement?
Copper in food supplements is generally found in combinations of supplements coupled with other molecules such as vitamin E. The whole helps to find a body in perfect health and to respond to a copper deficiency.
Like any ingredient to consume, your food supplement must be chosen carefully to take full advantage of all these benefits.
First of all, copper bisglycinate is a preferred form of copper. Bioavailable and highly assimilable by the body, it is very well tolerated by the body and our stomach, to offer us a quickly effective cure.
The dosage is also important. Depending on the treatment you wish to do, whether it is only a copper treatment or a more complete formula in which copper is one of the components, the dosage may vary. If your goal is to benefit from the effects of copper for tanning, we recommend a daily intake of 1.5 to 3 mg of copper . Be careful not to take a zinc or iron cure at the same time, as these ingredients alter the absorption of copper by the body.
At Novoma, we have integrated copper into our Soleil Formula , a formula composed of the best active ingredients to prepare the skin for the sun and promote natural tanning. Each daily dose (2 capsules) of our ideal formula for better tanning in summer and winter will provide you with 2 mg of copper bisglycinate per day.
Copper: contraindications
The effect of copper on the body is excellent. Side effects and other interactions with medical treatment may still occur. This is why, in this case, supervision with a health professional can prove useful.
Nausea, diarrhea, liver complications, etc. are the first signs of an overdose or poor absorption following a course of dietary copper or supplementation.
Taking a copper food supplement is contraindicated in:
- pregnant or breastfeeding women;
- children;
- people with kidney and liver weaknesses.
