Copper imbalance

Category: Illness or disabilities

Type

Involuntary

Introduction and description

Copper is a metal and an essential trace element in plants and animals. The human body contains copper at a level of about 1.4 to 2.1 mg per kg of body mass

Copper is essential to all living organisms as a trace dietary mineral because it is a key constituent of the respiratory enzyme complex cytochrome c oxidase. The main organs where copper is found in humans are liver, muscle and bone.

But, it is also found in the blood in combination with two other minerals, making the 'golden triangle'. There is a vital balancing act that takes place between zinc, copper and iron in our blood. In blood plasma, zinc is bound to and transported by albumin (60%, low-affinity) and transferrin (10%). Since transferrin also transports iron, excessive iron reduces zinc absorption, and vice-versa. A similar reaction occurs with copper.  Thus an imbalance in the minerals in general can produce an imbalance in zinc or copper or iron. 

Symptoms

Deficiency

Because of the relationship between iron copper and zinc, [and some other metals as we will see], copper deficiency can cause iron overload and zinc overload, as such the same symptoms present in iron and zinc overload present as in copper deficiency. For example

“Copper deficiency can cause a wide variety of neurological problems including, myelopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and optic neuropathy. Sufferers typically present difficulty walking (gait difficulty) caused by sensory ataxia (irregular muscle coordination) due to dorsal column dysfunction or degeneration of the spinal cord (myelopathy). Patients with ataxic gait have problems balancing and display an unstable wide walk. They often feel tremors in their torso, causing side way jerks and lunges.”

But this is the tip of the iceberg, because depending on how severe the copper deficiency is, the overload from other metals then amounts to heavy metal poisoning. 

Overdose

It is possible to overdose on copper both accidentally and deliberately.  Though it may sound incredible, those intent on suicide appear to favour copper poisoning, as one mode of operation...

Otherwise, overdosing on copper is Heavy metal poisoning, and the symptoms tend to match the degree of overdose.

As with all heavy metal poisoning it attacks every organ - the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the brain.  Brain damage can be temporary or permanent.  It is the brain damage that gives the hallucinations, visions etc.

There is with copper one extra extremely nasty effect from overdosing. In high doses copper may interfere with the Intestinal flora of the Intestine. Copper and copper alloys such as brass have been found to be toxic to bacteria [see the Science section Copper as anti-bacterial agent]. The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but common to other heavy metals. Viruses are less susceptible to this effect than bacteria. In every day application this property has found a use in hospitals for example and toilets or gyms where there needs to be a bacteria free environment, but if ingested, the copper can then affect our own 'friendly' bacteria. 

Causes

Deficiency

In general imbalance in other heavy metals, in effect poisoning by other heavy metals will cause copper deficiency.  Of particular note are

• Molybdenum poisoning can cause copper deficiency
• Zinc overdose – can cause copper deficiency
• Iron overdose - can cause copper deficiency

But overdose of a number of other metals can cause a deficiency, here is an example caused by Dietary supplements

Surgery – one of the most common causes of copper deficiency is gastrointestinal surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery, due to malabsorption of copper.

Intestine disease - limits the amount of copper available for uptake.

Overdose

Copper piping - being used for water supplies.  Where the water is acidic, has been left to stand in the pipes or has been used out of the hot tap, people have suffered from severe copper poisoning

Pesticides, fungicides and wood preservatives  -  Copper(II) sulfate forms a blue crystalline pentahydrate, which is used in a fungicide called Bordeaux mixture.  Copper compounds in liquid form are also used as a wood preservative, particularly in treating original portion of structures during restoration of damage due to dry rot.  And it would seem, they are also used as pesticides....

Bad farming practise - we will never know that we are overdosing on copper from the food chain, because it is so difficult to follow the links. It is not unusual for farmers in high intensity units to give their animals mineral supplements containing copper. Unfortunately, it appears that the copper at these high levels accumulates in the liver and kidneys, along with other organs. Sheep seem the most susceptible, but other ruminants are also at risk. If we eat any ruminant animal from an intensively farmed herd, we risk overdose.

There is also a risk from the milk of animals intensively farmed and given food laced with copper

and finally, this is how we can get it into our vegetables

Industrial products – Copper is found in a vast range of products. The major applications of copper are in electrical wires (60%), roofing and plumbing (20%) and industrial machinery (15%). Coppers compounds have been widely used historically as pigments in paints. Copper is one of the most important constituents of carat silver and gold alloys and carat solders used in the jewellery industry. Copper is used in electroplating as a base for other metals such as nickel. It is used as the printing plate in etching, engraving and other forms of printmaking. Copper oxide and carbonate is used in glassmaking and in ceramic glazes to impart green and brown colours. The alloy of copper and nickel, called cupronickel, is used in low-denomination coins. Alloys of copper with aluminium are used in decorations. Copper is the principal alloying metal in some sterling silver and gold alloys. And so it goes on.  And the industries have a record for pollution...

and just in case you are deluded into thinking this is an isolated 'developing country' problem, the following is France

Welding, Smelting and metal working – flash smelting was developed by Outokumpu in Finland and first applied at Harjavalta in 1949; the process accounts for 50% of the world’s primary copper production. Welding and other metal working appear to be less of a hazard when using copper than the other heavy metals, such as manganese, however, the risks are there.

Mineral supplements - rather alarmingly, there are some dietary supplements and mineral supplements on the market with copper at overdose levels in them.  Furthermore they appear to be proud of the fact that they exceed the 'RDA'.

Copper cooking pans -  there is no real evidence to show that eating acid foods cooked in uncoated copper cookware, gives you an overdose of copper, but there is some, albeit slight, evidence that leaving it in the copper pans, or using copper vats to store acidic foodstuffs does have an effect.

Mining - mining is known to be a cause of overdose for all heavy metals and copper is no exception, for example Zambia was a major source of copper at one time

Treatment

Find the cause. 

References and further reading

• Eur J Med Res. 1999 Jun 28;4(6):219-23. Chronic poisoning by copper in tap water: I. Copper intoxications with predominantly gastointestinal symptoms. Eife R, Weiss M, Barros V, Sigmund B, Goriup U, Komb D, Wolf W, Kittel J, Schramel P, Reiter K. Univ.-Kinderklinik im Dr. von Haunerschen Kinderspital, Klinikum Innnenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Lindwurmstr. 4, D-80337 München, Germany.
•  ohoku J Exp Med. 2006 Jul;209(3):243-8. A series of patients in the emergency department diagnosed with copper poisoning: recognition equals treatment. Gunay N, Yildirim C, Karcioglu O, Gunay NE, Yilmaz M, Usalan C, Kose A, Togun I. Department of Emergency Medicine, Sahinbey Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey. gunay@gantep.edu.tr
• Int Rev Psychiatry. 2004 Feb-May;16(1-2):63-72. Zambia mental health country profile.  Mayeya J, Chazulwa R, Mayeya PN, Mbewe E, Magolo LM, Kasisi F, Bowa AC. Central Board of Health, Lusaka, Zambia. jmayeya@cboh.org.zm

• Pol Tyg Lek. 1980 Feb 25;35(8):265-7.  [Attempt at establishing a correlation between copper plasma concentration and presence of atherosclerotic brain disease and its psychotic sequelae].  [Article in Polish]  Haubrich-Kochelt M.  PMID:7360702

Related observations

Healing observations

• Assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi status and heavy metal accumulation characteristics of tree species in a lead-zinc mine area: potential applications for phytoremediation 018311
• Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plant leaves from Yan׳an city of the Loess Plateau, China 018313
• Biochemical and physiologic consequences of boron deprivation in humans. 017972
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) as Indicators of Geogenic Contamination of Flysch Soils in Eastern Slovakia 019200
• Dr Duke's list of Chelating activity for the Dock 018087
• Dr Duke's list of chemicals and activity for the Shallot 017969
• Dr Duke's list of Plants with Copper chelator activity 018387
• Effectively simultaneous naked-eye detection of Cu(II), Pb(II), Al(III) and Fe(III) using cyanidin extracted from red cabbage as chelating agent 017795
• Fish, heart and blood circulatory problems and mercury 012482
• Heavy metal poisoning and brain damage 006198
• Heavy metal stress in alders: Tolerance and vulnerability of the actinorhizal symbiosis. 021021
• Influence of amendments and aided phytostabilization on metal availability and mobility in Pb/Zn mine tailings 018258
• Phytoextraction and phytostabilization potential of plants grown in the vicinity of heavy metal-contaminated soils: a case study at an industrial town site 021288
• Protective effect of curcumin against heavy metals-induced liver damage 017774
• Removal of copper ions from aqueous solution by adlai shell (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) adsorbents 021303
• Studies on phytoremediation of copper using Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern) in the presence of biostimulants and bioassay using Clarias gariepinus juveniles 018257
• Summary of Dr Duke’s analysis showing the Antipathogenic Activities in: Azadirachta indica -- Neem 018320
• The effect of the phenolic antioxidant ferulic acid on the oxidation of low density lipoprotein depends on the pro-oxidant used 017780
• The influence of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa on selected parameters of oxidative stress and microelements contents in men with hypercholesterolemia 017791
• Zinc, Iron and Copper imbalance and diabetes 006874

Hallucination

• Arsenic, water and burning treated wood 006906
• Atypical case of Wilson's disease with psychotic onset, low 24 hour urine copper and the absence of Kayser-Fleischer rings 019590
• Bipolar disorders and Wilson's disease 019596
• Blood-brain barrier flux of aluminum, manganese, iron and other metals suspected to contribute to metal-induced neurodegeneration 019574
• Brain MRI and SPECT in the diagnosis of early neurological involvement in Wilson's disease 019600
• Copper deficiency and the unborn child 006904
• Copper deficiency caused by silver ingestion 006903
• Copper imbalance and Wilson's disease 006910
• Copper, MS and schizophrenia 006902
• Current state of Wilson disease patients in central Japan 019599
• Delirium and Wilson's disease 006909
• Fish oil and other things 005795
• Hallucinations from arsenic and heavy metal working 006905
• Mental illness and copper imbalance 006908
• Metal transporters in intestine and brain: their involvement in metal-associated neurotoxicities 019575
• Mineral deficiency causes mental illness after extensive small bowel resection 006909
• Mismanagement of Wilson's disease as psychotic disorder 019595
• PubMed - Aggression and heavy metals 006907
• Resolved Psychosis after Liver Transplantation in a Patient with Wilson's Disease 019597
• Wilson's disease and psychosis 006901
• Wilson's disease: a challenging diagnosis. Clinical manifestations and diagnostic procedures in 12 patients 019598

Other observations

• Dementia Alzheimers and copper and iron imbalance 006886
• Dietary supplements and death 005793
• Influence of nanoparticles on blood-brain barrier permeability and brain edema formation in rats 024196
• Metals and brain disease 006160
• Metals and Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms and Biochemical Processes. 029499
• Statins and zinc and iron imbalance 006872