COPPER

In this blog, I want to delve into the powerful role of copper in our bodies. Often overshadowed by more commonly discussed minerals, copper is absolutely essential for numerous physiological processes, including the recycling of iron, reducing inflammation, and combating oxidative stress.

Let’s explore how copper works its magic and why it’s so vital for our health.

Copper and Iron Recycling

Copper plays a critical role in the body’s ability to recycle iron, ensuring that this essential mineral is used efficiently and effectively.

Formation of Ceruloplasmin:

Copper is a key component of ceruloplasmin, a protein that carries copper in the blood and is vital for iron metabolism. Ceruloplasmin helps convert ferrous iron (Fe2+) to ferric iron (Fe3+), which is the form that can be bound to transferrin and transported safely in the blood.

Iron Mobilization:

Without adequate copper, the body cannot properly oxidize and mobilize stored iron from tissues like the liver and spleen. This can lead to iron accumulation in tissues, which is toxic and can cause damage.
Supporting Hemoglobin Production:

By facilitating the recycling and transport of iron, copper ensures that sufficient iron is available for the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Copper Plays a Role in Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

In addition to its role in iron recycling, copper is crucial for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, two factors that are at the heart of many chronic diseases.

Antioxidant Defense:

Copper is a cofactor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the body’s most powerful antioxidants. SOD helps neutralize superoxide radicals, which are reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative damage to cells and tissues.

Reducing Inflammation:

By supporting antioxidant enzymes like SOD, copper helps mitigate the inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation is often driven by oxidative stress, so by reducing oxidative damage, copper indirectly helps lower inflammation.

Promoting Healing and Tissue Repair:

Copper is involved in the formation of collagen and elastin, two structural proteins essential for tissue integrity and repair. This is particularly important in wound healing and maintaining healthy skin and connective tissues.

Copper-rich foods are essential for various bodily functions, including energy production, connective tissue formation, and antioxidant defense.

• Shellfish: Shellfish such as oysters, crab, lobster, and mussels are excellent sources of copper. They also provide protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential nutrients important for overall health.

• Organ Meats: Liver and other organ meats are rich in copper. They are also high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them nutrient-dense foods that support energy metabolism and immune function.

• Nuts and Seeds: Many nuts and seeds contain copper, including almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. These foods also provide healthy fats, protein, fiber, and other beneficial nutrients.

• Beans and Legumes: Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas are good sources of copper. They are also rich in fiber, protein, and various vitamins and minerals, supporting digestive health and overall well-being.

• Whole Grains: Whole grains like oats, barley, and quinoa contain copper along with other essential nutrients such as fiber, protein, and B vitamins. These grains support energy production, digestion, and heart health.

• Dark Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and collard greens are rich in copper and other minerals. They also provide vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants that help protect cells from damage.

• Chocolate: Dark chocolate is a delicious source of copper. It also contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been linked to various health benefits, including improved heart health and cognitive function.

  
  Benefits of consuming copper-rich foods include:

• Energy Production: Copper is involved in energy metabolism, helping the body convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into usable energy.

• Connective Tissue Formation: Copper plays a role in the synthesis of collagen and elastin, two proteins essential for the formation and maintenance of connective tissue, skin, and blood vessels.

• Iron Absorption: Copper helps facilitate the absorption of iron from the diet. Adequate copper intake can support optimal iron levels in the body, preventing iron deficiency anemia.

• Antioxidant Defense: Copper acts as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps neutralize harmful free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage.
  

  Incorporating copper-rich foods into your diet can help support energy production, connective tissue formation, antioxidant defense, and iron absorption.

Copper on HTMA
When analyzing copper levels through HTMA, it's crucial to interpret the results in the context of other minerals and the interconnectedness of all minerals

High Copper Levels: Elevated copper levels in hair may indicate unavailable copper. This is where copper exists in the system yet it doesn’t have the necessary components to become bio available. Symptoms can include fatigue, emotional disturbances, headaches, and in severe cases, liver damage. High copper can also be influenced by external factors such as the use of copper-containing birth control pills, copper pipes in home plumbing, and exposure to fungicides or other environmental sources.

Low Copper Levels: Low levels of copper can suggest deficiencies, which may lead to symptoms like anemia - poor iron recycling, bone and joint problems, lower skin and hair pigmentation, increased susceptibility to infections, and possible cardiovascular health risks.

Copper and Other Minerals: The balance of copper with other minerals like zinc and molybdenum is also significant. Zinc and copper compete for absorption in the body; thus, an excess of one can lead to a deficiency of the other. Molybdenum can bind to copper and reduce its bioavailability, influencing copper levels.

Implications of Copper Imbalance
Managing copper levels is crucial, as both excess and deficiency can lead to significant health issues:

Copper imbalance may lead to oxidative stress and neurological symptoms due to the pro-oxidant nature of excess copper, can impact cardiovascular health, bone strength, and overall immunity.

Recommendations Based on HTMA
HTMA results can guide dietary adjustments, supplementation, and lifestyle changes to correct copper imbalances:

For High Copper: Increase intake of zinc-rich foods, consider molybdenum supplements, and avoid high-copper foods like shellfish, nuts, and seeds.
For Low Copper: Incorporate copper-rich foods such as organ meats, seafood, nuts, and seeds; consider copper supplements if dietary changes are insufficient.

HTMA offers valuable insights into copper status and its impact on health. Understanding copper levels through HTMA can help tailor individualized strategies to maintain or achieve optimal mineral balance.

How to Remineralise our system?

The Root Cause Protocol (RCP) was developed by Morley Robbins, who transformed a career in the mainstream medical industry into a quest to learn the fundamental components of a healthy metabolism.

The RCP is the culmination of his many years of research and is revolutionary in its approach to health from a truly holistic perspective, by looking at the whole organism and how all the elements work together, rather than limiting the focus to isolated nutrients or conditions.

The RCP works by restoring balance to the key minerals – magnesium, copper, and iron – that must work together in order to optimise energy and increase vitality.

My life's work is dedicated to supporting women through the Root Cause Protocol (RCP). This sacred journey involves releasing emotional and physical debris, gunk, and cellular chaos from the inner temple, clearing pathways for more life to flow through.

Embodied Woman is a guided 6-month group mentorship focused on cellular healing, feminine restoration, and metabolic living. We journey through the RCP and individual hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA), with personalised results thoughtfully reviewed in private sessions.

While the protocol's general steps align for everyone, Embodied Woman offers a tailored approach to individual needs. Our collective exploration includes resourcing practices, embodied techniques, and emotional clearing practices, fostering a deeper embodiment of your radiance. Group calls and a community chat provide additional support throughout your journey.

Doors open to the Embodied Woman twice a year, to be the first to know when the next enrollment takes place you can add yourself to the wait list here.

If you want to explore why we as women need to remineralise our systems, I invite you to listen to this podcast episode here.

with love,

Rebecca x