Enzymes are picky little things that control, instigate and terminate reactions in our body. They’re so picky that everything needs to be just right and some require the presence of copper. There are many copper reliant enzymes in our body and they are involved in a range of functions. One is the production of collagen in the body. Collagen is a type of protein needed to keep our bones and cartilage healthy, and our skin young and supple. This makes copper essential for the healthy development and maintenance of bones, especially in infancy and childhood, and it also plays a part in a healthy complexion. Collagen, along with other proteins also form connective tissue in our blood vessels. This makes copper essential for cardiovascular health.
Copper is also needed by enzymes involved in energy production, and it helps maintain healthy brain and nervous system function. Copper is also involved in the formation of melanin. Melanin is an amino acid product that gives pigment to our skin, hair and eyes. The darker our skin, hair and eye color is, the more melanin we have. For those of us with fairer skin and lighter locks, melanin is sparse and instead, concentrated in the form of freckles.
Copper also helps with our immunity. Our immune system is not healthy nor complete without the recommended amount of copper. This colorful mineral also helps in antioxidant formation, to help us stay youthful and fight those damaging free radicals. Lastly, copper helps with the absorption of iron; this keeps oxygenated blood flowing and anaemia at bay.
Sometimes a mineral deficiency is the result of an excessive intake of another nutrient, as opposed to an inadequate intake of the mineral in question; copper is one of them. An excessive intake or supplementation of zinc can cause a zinc induced copper deficiency. Both zinc and copper compete for the same absorption sites in our body, and zinc seems to win. This can leave dietary copper unabsorbed and we can quickly become deficient. This is one reason why we need to be careful when taking vitamin supplements for an extended period of time. Supplements are best taken as recommended by a health care practitioner.
A lack of dietary copper can also cause anemia. Copper helps with the proper absorption and usage of iron in our body. Despite an adequate iron intake, a diet low in copper can interfere with iron and its function in our body.
A copper deficiency can also effect bone formation in infants and children, and also decrease the functioning of our immune system. A copper deficiency will effect any enzyme in our body that relies on it and compromise the function that enzyme performs.