Copper

Description

Copper is an essential Acidic Trace Mineral.

Region/Organ
of the Body            % of Total Body Copper

Bones:                            44%

Muscles:                         25%

Liver:                              10%

Brain:                             9%

Blood:                             6%

Kidneys:                         3%

Heart:                             2%

Lungs:                            1%

Amino Acids

 Copper is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Tyrosine to L-Dopa.

 Copper is essential for the conversion of Tyrosine to Melanin (due to its incorporation into the Tyrosinase enzyme).  ^[1]

Enzymes

 Copper is a cofactor for the Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase enzyme (that catalyzes the conversion of Dopamine to Norepinephrine).  ^[2]

 Copper enhances the function of Cytochrome C Oxidase.  ^[3]

 Copper is a component of the Histaminase enzyme.

 Copper is a cofactor for the activity of L-Ascorbate Oxidase (the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of Vitamin C (L-Ascorbate form) to Dehydroascorbic Acid.

 Copper is an essential component of Lactase.

 Lysyl Oxidase is dependent upon Copper for activation.  ^[4]

 Copper is a cofactor for Methionine Synthase.  ^[5]

 Copper is a component of a form of the mitochondrial form of Superoxide Dismutase(SOD):  ^[6]

 The combination of Copper and Aspirin (Copper Salicylate) has properties almost identical to those of Superoxide Dismutase - Copper Salicylate can be obtained either by consuming chelated Copper supplements at the same time as Sodium Salicylate (in which case Copper Salicylate is formed within the Stomach) or by consuming Copper Salicylate supplements.  ^[7]

 Copper is an essential component of Tyrosinase.  ^[8]

Hormones

 Copper is involved in the synthesis of some Thyroid Hormones:

 Copper stimulates the conversion of Triiodothyronine (T3) to Thyroxine (T4).

Immune System Chemicals

 Copper is required for the production of Interleukin 2.  ^[9]

Minerals

 Copper may increase the absorption of Iron.

Neuropeptides

 Copper is essential for the production of Enkephalins and Copper deficiency can result in impaired production of Enkephalins.  ^[10]

Neurotransmitters

 Copper is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Dopamine to Norepinephrine (NE).  ^[11]

Pigments

 Copper is essential for the conversion of Tyrosine to Melanin (due to its incorporation into the Tyrosinase enzyme).  ^[1]

Proteins

 Copper is incorporate into Ceruloplasmin in the Liver:

 90% of the Copper circulating in the blood is in the form of Ceruloplasmin.

 Copper is essential for the proper formation of Collagen (due to its role as an essential component of the Lysyl Oxidase enzyme that catalyzes the final step in the production of Collagen).  ^[13]

 Copper facilitates the formation of Elastin.  ^[14]

Vitamins

 Copper is a cofactor for the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion ofVitamin C (L-Ascorbate form) to Dehydroascorbic Acid:

 However supplemental Copper should not be consumed at the same time as supplemental Vitamin C.

Amino Acids

 Copper may lower elevated Homocysteine levels (by functioning as a cofactor for the Methionine Synthase enzyme).  ^[15]

Enzymes

 Copper strongly inhibits the 5-Alpha Reductase (both Type 1 and Type 2) enzyme.  ^[16]

 Copper may inhibit HIV Protease (an enzyme involved in the replication of the HIV virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)).  ^[17]

Minerals

 Copper may increase the body's excretion of Cadmium (Cadmium and Copper compete for absorption within the body). 

Proteins

 Normally, Copper is bound to Amyloid-Beta-Precursor Protein (APP), preventing its conversion to Amyloid-Beta-Protein.  Depleted Copper levels in the Brain may reduce Copper binding to APP.  When Copper is not present in APP, APP becomes free to convert to Amyloid-Beta Protein.  Copper supplementation may thereby help to prevent the conversion of APP to Amyloid-Beta Protein.  ^[18]

 Copper may inhibit the conversion of Amyloid-Beta-Precursor Protein (APP) to Amyloid-Beta Protein.  ^[19]

Amino Acids

 Glutamine is one of the preferred Amino Acids for chelation with Copper.

 Histidine is one of the preferred Amino Acids for chelation with Copper.

 Threonine is one of the preferred Amino Acids for chelation with Copper.

Minerals

 Boron may enhance the function of Copper and may increase serum Copper levels.  ^[20]

 Cobalt enhances the function of Copper.

 Sodium facilitates the absorption of Copper.  ^[21]

Organic Acids

 Citric Acid increases the bioavailability of Copper (by contributing to the solubilization of Copper).  ^[22]