|
Copper has a critical role in energy production and is important in brain development. We need around 2mg per day and there are suspicions that the elderly are at risk of copper deficiency because of an inadequate diet. A trace element that doesn't get much press is copper. It has a critical role in energy production and is important in brain development. We need around 2mg per day and there are suspicions that the elderly are at risk of copper deficiency because of an inadequate diet. Zinc supplements can reduce your copper levels. Shell fish, liver and kidneys, whole grains and, I'm glad to say, reportedly dark chocolate are sources of copper. Despite what some alternative practitioners might tell you about trace element analysis, there are no reliable tests to see what your copper status is. Much of what is known about copper comes from studying babies born with copper disorders. One is a fatal syndrome called Menke's and the other, Wilson's, destroys the liver from too much copper being laid down in it. Australian research has discovered a lot of this knowledge and there are suspicions that abnormal copper metabolism contributes to Alzheimer's disease and even osteoporosis. Even so, given how toxic copper can be in excess, be careful about supplements. Anyway, dark chocolate in moderation sounds much better fun.
|
