Nutrient deficiencies play an important roll in your overall health.
Abnormal biochemistry in deficiency probably contributes to these lesions, e.g., decreased activities of lysin oxidase and superoxide dismutase which result in failure of collagen and elastin crosslinking and impaired defense against free radicals. Abnormal physiology from deficiency includes abnormal electrocardiograms, glucose intolerance and hypertension. People with ischemic heart disease have decreased cardiac and leucocyte copper and decreased activities of some copper-dependent enzymes.
Copper deficiency and defective copper metabolism have a major effect on cardiovascular health. Copper deficiency also decreases copper in hearts and other organs and cells and increases cholesterol in plasma. Copper depletion experiments with men and women have revealed abnormalities of lipid metabolism, blood pressure control, and electrocardiograms plus impaired glucose tolerance.
There are currently at least 12 known enzymes that are dependent on copper to function. These are called "cuproenzymes". One of these enzymes is Tyrosinase. The body uses this to make melanin a compound present in the skin cells. The body also depends on copper to break down iron.
A copper deficiency in the blood is called “hypocupremia” and it is a condition which is often underdiagnosed.
Symptoms of copper deficiency can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms can mimic that of many other conditions.
Low copper levels can affect a person’s immune system and energy levels. Examples include:
- always feeling cold
- easy bone breakage
- easy bruising
- fatigue
- getting sick easily or frequently
- pale skin
- poor growth
- skin inflammation
- skin sores
- unexplained muscle soreness
Very low copper levels can cause problems with muscle movement as well.
Because the body mostly absorbs copper in the stomach and then in the small intestine, problems with either organ often affect a person’s ability to absorb copper. Many times, copper deficiency is the result of stomach surgery that can affect absorption.
Zinc supplementation is also a common cause of copper deficiency. This is because zinc and copper compete for absorption in the stomach, with zinc being the usual winner. As a result, copper isn’t absorbed.
All Second Nature Care patients are tested for copper deficiency!
If you think copper deficiency may be causing your symptoms contact Dr. Guggenheim today!
Revitalize with I.V. Nutrients
Leslie M. Klevay, Cardiovascular Disease from Copper Deficiency—A History, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 130, Issue 2, February 2000, Pages 489S–492S, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/130.2.489S