Copper Toxicity by Dr

Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd.

Copper Toxicity By Dr. Paul C. Eck and Dr. Larry Wilson

Table Of Contents

Introduction...... 1

Sources Of Copper ...... 1 Environmental Copper...... 1 Copper Water Pipes...... 1 Copper Cookware...... 1 Drinking Water Contaminated With Copper...... 1 Birth Control Pills and Copper Intrauterine Devices ...... 1 Vitamin and Mineral Supplements...... 1 Fungicides for Swimming Pools and Foods...... 1 Vegetarianism and Other High-Copper Diets ...... 2 Occupational Exposure...... 2 Dental Appliances...... 2 Adrenal Gland Exhaustion and Copper Toxicity ...... 2 Zinc Deficiency and Copper Toxicity ...... 2 Congenital Copper Imbalance ...... 2 The Copper Personality ...... 2

Detection Of Copper Imbalance ...... 2 Blood Tests...... 2 Hair Analysis ...... 3 Indicators For Hidden Copper on a Hair Analysis ...... 3

Metabolism Of Copper...... 3 Absorption ...... 3 Retention...... 3 Excretion...... 3

Metabolic Effects Of Copper ...... 3

i Metabolic Dysfunctions Associated With Copper Imbalance...... 4 Acne ...... 4 Adreno-Cortical Hyperactivity ...... 4 Adrenal hypertrophy ...... 4 Adrenal Insufficiency...... 4 Agoraphobia...... 4 Allergies...... 4 Alopecia (hair loss) ...... 4 Androgens ...... 4 Anemia...... 4 Anxiety...... 4 Arthritis ...... 4 Autism...... 4 Calcium Level, Elevated...... 5 Cancer and High Tissue Copper ...... 5 Cancer and Low Tissue Copper...... 5 Candida Albicans (Yeast) Infections ...... 5 Ceruloplasmin Levels, Elevated ...... 5 Cholesterol, Elevated ...... 5 Clinical Syndromes...... 5 Cystic Fibrosis...... 5 Depression, Mental ...... 5 Diabetes...... 5 Dysinsulinism...... 5 Estrogen Levels, Elevated...... 6 'Failure To Thrive' Syndrome ...... 6 Fears ...... 6 Fractures, Bone ...... 6 Headaches, Migraine...... 6 Heart Attacks...... 6 Heavy Metal Toxicity ...... 6 Hemorrhaging ...... 6 Hodgkin's Disease...... 6 Hyperactivity, Childhood...... 6 Hypertension ...... 6 Hypoglycemia ...... 6 Hypothyroidism ...... 6 Infections...... 6 Inflammation...... 7 Iron Storage Diseases...... 7 Kidney Disorders ...... 7 Lead Toxicity ...... 7 Libido (Decreased)...... 7 Liver Detoxification And Dysfunctions...... 7 Metabolic Dysfunctions ...... 7 Multiple Sclerosis ...... 7 Myocardial Infarction: High Serum Copper Levels And Use of the Birth Control Pill...... 7 ii Nervousness ...... 8 High Copper and Osteoporosis ...... 8 Low Copper and Osteoporosis...... 8 Ovarian Dysfunction...... 8 Pancreatic Dysfunction ...... 8 Panic Attacks...... 8 Pantothenic Acid Deficiency ...... 8 Phobias...... 8 Pituitary Hyperactivity...... 8 Premenstrual Tension...... 8 Schizophrenia...... 8 Sexual Inadequacy ...... 8 Strokes...... 8 Tooth Decay...... 8 Urinary Tract Infection ...... 9 Vitamin Deficiencies...... 9

Effects Of Copper On Other Minerals ...... 9

Effects Of Other Minerals And Vitamins On Copper ...... 9 Mercury, cadmium and zinc ...... 9 Molybdenum and sulfur...... 9 Iron and manganese...... 9 Zinc…...... 9 Vitamin C ...... 9 Vitamin B6, folic acid and niacin ...... 9 Cobalt…...... 9

Detoxification And Correction Of Copper Imbalance...... 9 Exposure to Copper ...... 9 Restore Adrenal Activity...... 9 Increase Energy Levels by Balancing Body Chemistry...... 9 Antagonists and Chelating Agents ...... 9

Special Considerations Regarding Copper Detoxification ...... 10 Diet For The Copper-Toxic Individual...... 10 The Time Factor ...... 10 Copper Reactions (Copper Eliminations)...... 10 Copper Eliminations and Increased Awareness ...... 10

References...... 11

Glossary…...... 12

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Copper Toxicity By Dr. Paul C. Eck and Dr. Larry Wilson

Introduction When medical science comes to under- Copper Cookware stand the implications of a copper imbalance, Copper tea kettles and other copper it may be referred to as the scourge of the cookware can be a source of copper toxicity if late 20th century. It is one of the most com- used frequently over a period of time. monly encountered imbalances that we find on tissue mineral tests today. Many of the Drinking Water Contaminated With Cop- most prevalent metabolic dysfunctions of our per time are related in some way to a copper im- Some areas of the United States have balance. high amounts of naturally occurring copper in Copper toxicity is a much overlooked con- their water supply. Also, copper sulfate is tributor to many health problems; including added to some municipal drinking water sup- anorexia, fatigue, premenstrual syndrome, plies to kill yeast and fungi. depression, anxiety, migraine headaches, allergies, childhood hyperactivity and learning Birth Control Pills and Copper Intrauterine disorders. Devices The involvement of copper toxicity and One of the side effects of the pill is that it biounavailability in such a wide range of tends to raise copper levels in the body. This health conditions may seem unusual. It is our is due to the close association between the intent in this paper to show how copper is hormone estrogen and copper levels. regulated in the body and why it is such a key Several hundred milligrams of copper a mineral in so many metabolic dysfunctions. year can easily be absorbed from a copper IUD. Many women still use the Copper-7 in- Sources Of Copper trauterine birth control device, although it has Copper imbalance can result from: been taken off the market. The only intra- • environmental copper exposure. uterine birth control device sold today, how- • adrenal gland insufficiency or exhaustion. ever, is a copper-T. These devices can be • zinc deficiency. very harmful for women prone to high copper • congenital copper toxicity. levels. • the copper personality. Vitamin and Mineral Supplements Environmental Copper Copper is frequently added to vitamin Copper Water Pipes supplements, particularly prenatal vitamins. Copper plumbing was hailed as a great Although this is a benefit for some people, it advance in the 1940's and today the majority can be harmful for many other women. of homes in the United States have copper plumbing. Especially in areas with acidic wa- Fungicides for Swimming Pools and ter, copper can be leached from pipes, leav- Foods ing in severe cases, a greenish ring on bath- Copper sulfate is added to swimming room fixtures. Water coolers and ice-makers pools and may be sprayed on fruits and in refrigerators also use copper tubing. Water vegetables to retard growth of algae and fun- that sits in these units can contain danger- gus. ously high levels of copper. 1 Vegetarianism and Other High-Copper Di- cient in zinc. A zinc deficiency may be due to: ets • stress of any kind causing an increased Many diets today are high in copper. In excretion of zinc. particular, vegetarian proteins such as soy- • a high sugar and carbohydrate diet which beans, nuts, seeds, tofu, avocados and lowers tissue zinc levels. grains are high in copper content. Fast food • vegetarian diets which are lower in zinc hamburgers and other popular foods are soy- inasmuch as a main source of zinc in the based. Soybean protein is coming into wider diet is derived from meat protein, particu- usage, due to its low cholesterol level and larly red meat. lower cost. • low levels of zinc in the soil resulting in Other high-copper foods are organ meats, lowered zinc levels in foods. shellfish, wheat germ and bran, yeast, corn • refining of food which removes zinc. oil, margarine and mushrooms. • the fact that many children today are born deficient in zinc because their mothers are Occupational Exposure deficient. Plumbers, welders, machinists and others who work with copper are at risk for copper Congenital Copper Imbalance toxicity. Mothers deficient in zinc, or high in copper, transmit these imbalances to their chil- Dental Appliances dren through the placenta. Untold numbers of Copper is used in dental alloys in fillings, children today are born with a copper imbal- crowns and other appliances. ance. Often they suffer from learning problems, developmental disability, chronic infec- Adrenal Gland Exhaustion and Copper tions and other problems. Toxicity Mothers also pass on to their offspring Diminished adrenal activity is perhaps the other nutrient deficiencies and toxic metals, single most important physiological reason which impair the child's adrenal glands. Weak for copper problems today. The reason is that adrenal glands, in turn, results in a worsening adrenal activity is required to stimulate pro- of the copper imbalance in the child by the duction of ceruloplasmin, the primary copper- mechanism explained above. binding protein. When adrenal activity is insufficient, ceru- The Copper Personality loplasmin synthesis in the liver declines. The copper personality refers to the ob- Copper that is not bound cannot be used and servation that certain individuals tend to ac- unbound copper begins to accumulate in cumulate copper, perhaps as a physical or various tissues and organs. psychological mechanism that is adaptive for According to hair analysis research, 70– these individuals. Copper accumulation re- 80 percent of people tested show weak adre- sults in various degrees of detachment from nal glands! reality which some have labeled spaciness. The detachment enables these individuals Zinc Deficiency and Copper Toxicity to better cope with stress. People with a cop- A widespread zinc deficiency in our popu- per personality tend to be intelligent, creative, lation is another critical cause of a copper childlike and artistic. imbalance. Zinc and copper normally exist in a delicate balance. Zinc is a primary copper Detection Of Copper Imbalance antagonist. When zinc is deficient, copper Blood Tests tends to accumulate in various storage or- Copper and ceruloplasmin levels can be gans. measured in serum to detect copper poison- Zinc deficiency is extremely common to- ing. There will be some daily fluctuations as day. Dr. Carl Pfeiffer has stated that the en- with all blood tests, but this is a useful meas- tire American population is borderline defi- 2 ure. Unfortunately, few physicians run these tion. Absorption is also hindered by an alka- tests routinely. line intestinal pH.

Hair Analysis Retention Hair analysis is a rapid, simple screening Normally copper is bound in the blood to test that can reveal both direct and hidden ceruloplasmin (95 percent) and albumin. Or- copper imbalance. A copper level exceeding gans with a high copper content include the 2.50 mg% is considered elevated. However, liver, brain, heart and kidneys. However, ex- there are several readings that indicate hid- cess copper can accumulate in almost every den copper toxicity. In other words, copper organ of the body. may not show up high on the hair test, but may be stored in various organs and will Excretion show up later as it is mobilized. Copper is excreted mainly through the bile. Vitamin C binds or chelates copper and Indicators For Hidden Copper on a Hair facilitates its removal. Zinc and manganese Analysis displace copper from the liver. Molybdenum For these indicators to be valid, the hair and sulfur bind to copper and greatly facilitate sample must not be washed at the lab: its excretion. • calcium level elevated above 120.00 mg% (ideal Ca = 40.00 mg%). Metabolic Effects Of Copper • zinc/copper ratio less than 6.00/1. Copper directly or indirectly affects virtu- • sodium/potassium ratio less than 2.20/1. ally every body system. Many symptoms as- • copper level less than 1.00 mg%. sociated with copper toxicity are due to a • potassium less than 3.00 mg%. copper-induced deficiency, or deficiency of • calcium/potassium ratio greater than vitamin C, folic acid, or other nutrients in- 10.00/1. duced by copper toxicity. Copper also inter- • mercury level greater than 0.40 mg%. feres with adrenal and thyroid gland activity, creating another set of symptoms relating to These criteria were derived by reviewing hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. over 100,000 tests and noting that people Particular functions which are copper- with the above readings sooner or later be- dependent include: gan eliminating excess copper from their • formation of melanin and keratin. body tissues as they gained enough energy $ synthesis of connective tissue and my- to correct their abnormal copper metabolism oglobin. • hemoglobin synthesis (incorporation of Metabolism Of Copper iron into hemoglobin). Absorption • energy production (the electron transport Thirty to sixty percent of ingested copper system). is absorbed through the intestinal tract. Cer- • synthesis of neurotransmitters (the cate- tain minerals and heavy toxic metals compete cholamines). for absorption with copper, including calcium, • free radical scavenging (superoxide dis- iron, zinc, cadmium and mercury. Vitamin C mutase). inhibits copper absorption. Sulfur and molyb- • retention of calcium in the bone matrix. denum are intestinal sequestrants of copper • immune system (control of anaerobic or- that also apparently inhibit absorption of cop- ganisms) and formation of reticuloendo- per. thelial cells. Absorption of copper is increased by the • formation of the myelin sheath of nerves. presence of amino acids. Diminished protein • fertility and maintenance of pregnancy. intake or impaired protein digestion (HCL and enzyme deficiency) inhibits copper absorp-

3 Metabolic Dysfunctions Associ- teins. Copper imbalance also inhibits an en- ated With Copper Imbalance zyme required for collagen synthesis — lysal Acne oxidase. Acne is frequently associated with elevated copper levels, or a low imbalanced Androgens zinc/copper ratio. A low copper level, particularly an elevated zinc/copper ratio, suggests increased Adreno-Cortical Hyperactivity androgen secretion. A low zinc/copper ratio is frequently related with adrenal-cortical hyperactivity. Anemia A high copper/molybdenum ratio may contribute to iron deficiency anemias and Adrenal hypertrophy possibly cause iron-storage disease. The adrenal glands markedly increase in Several anemias which do not respond to weight when the tissue levels of copper are iron therapy have been found to be associ- high — this indicates excessive stress. ated with biounavailable copper. Copper is required to convert iron from the ferric to fer- Adrenal Insufficiency rous form so it can be utilized. Copper is also Copper accumulates in the liver of required to incorporate iron into the hemoglo- adrenalectomized rats; thus severe adrenal bin molecule. insufficiency may be accompanied by in- High tissue copper levels can cause a creased tissue copper levels. relative manganese deficiency. Manganese is The release of copper from the liver is necessary to stimulate hemoglobin formation; controlled by the adrenal glands through its thus anemia can result from a copper- influence on the synthesis of ceruloplasmin; induced deficiency of manganese. the protein needed for its removal. A copper deficiency results in an in- Anxiety creased ascorbic acid content of the adrenal Anxiety states are frequently associated gland. with elevated hair copper levels. This may be due to an excessive production of stimulatory Agoraphobia neurotransmitters (catecholamines), which A morbid dread of open spaces (agora- include epinephrine, norepinephrine, sero- phobia) is often associated with copper toxic- tonin and dopamine. ity. Phobias of various types are commonly Zinc deficiency due to copper toxicity can associated with copper toxicity (see phobias). also result in anxiety states.

Allergies Arthritis Allergies are commonly associated with a Copper levels in the synovial fluid of pa- copper toxicity problem inasmuch as copper tients with rheumatoid arthritis are three or biounavailability (deficiency) results in a re- more times as high as normal. duced output of both adrenal mineral corti- A high tissue copper level is frequently coid and glucocorticoid hormones. These associated with osteoarthritis. Copper tends hormones normally help control allergy reac- to enhance calcium retention in body tissues. tions. Excessive copper also has a destructive effect upon protein structures such as joint car- Alopecia (hair loss) tilages. Copper toxicity causes an excessive breakdown of all protein structures, including Autism hair and nails. This is due in part, to a de- "Normally, the liver produces the normal structive effect on the disulfide bonds of pro- copper protein, ceruloplasmin, which stores copper in the blood serum and prevents ex- 4 cess absorption. Ferritin, the iron-containing Ceruloplasmin Levels, Elevated protein is made similarly. High copper tissue levels are associated Any abnormality which results in inade- with or indicative of increased ceruloplasmin quate ceruloplasmin, or ferritin, could allow levels. Conditions that are associated with excess copper or iron to be absorbed, which elevated ceruloplasmin levels include myo- would affect the brain. Both of these metals cardial infarctions, lymphomas and rheuma- (copper and iron) are stimulants to the brain toid arthritis. and might produce hyperactivity and/or autism." (Pfeiffer) Cholesterol, Elevated When copper levels in the blood rise, fat Calcium Level, Elevated levels decrease. Any contaminant that de- A hair calcium level above 120.00 mg% presses copper and zinc, such as cadmium in indicates a biounavailability of calcium. High the case of zinc, may cause elevated levels calcium levels are frequently associated with of lipids. elevated copper levels. An elevated calcium level is frequently the Clinical Syndromes result of a manganese deficiency caused by "The clinical syndromes (other than Wil- elevated copper levels. son's disease) wherein elevated serum or tissue copper may be an important factor are Cancer and High Tissue Copper paranoid and hallucinatory schizophrenia, In adult life, chronic tissue zinc and vita- hypertension, preeclampsia, stuttering, au- min B6 deficiencies due to copper toxicity tism, childhood hyperactivity, premenstrual may predispose cells to cancerous change. tensions, psychiatric depression, insomnia, Changes in serum copper concentrations senility and possibly functional hypoglyce- with reticuloendothelial cancers are predictive mia." (Pfeiffer) of remissions and relapses. The copper levels rise during active phases of the malignan- Cystic Fibrosis cies and drop back to normal limits during Unusually large amounts of copper have remissions. been found in the fingernails of infants with cystic fibrosis. Cancer and Low Tissue Copper A possible role for dietary copper in the Depression, Mental metabolism of foreign compounds was first Mental depression is frequently associ- suggested by Sharpless in 1946. He ob- ated with elevated tissue copper levels. An served that the addition of a copper supple- elevated copper level reduces tissue manga- ment to the diet of rats had a marked protec- nese levels which may result in depression. tive effect against the hepatocarcinogenic ac- Adequate copper is necessary for activa- tion of the dye butter yellow (i.e., 4 dimethyl tion of biogenic amines. A deficiency of bio- aminoazo benzene). Yamane et al. have genic amines is frequently associated with demonstrated that this protective effect of mental depression. copper is associated with the stimulation of the hepatic metabolism of this aminoazo dye Diabetes to noncarcinogenic metabolites. Diabetes is frequently associated with elevated tissue copper levels. Excess copper Candida Albicans (Yeast) Infections frequently reduces zinc and manganese lev- Copper is a stimulant to oxidative or aero- els, thereby interfering with glucose metabo- bic metabolism. A copper biounavailability, lism. deficiency, or imbalance, often results in a tendency towards yeast infections. Dysinsulinism Copper compounds are used commer- Dysinsulinism is frequently associated cially to inhibit growth of yeast and fungi. with elevated copper levels. An excess of tis- 5 sue copper reduces zinc and manganese metals. values, thereby interfering with glucose me- Conversely, such metals as lead and tabolism. mercury may interfere with the synthesis of ceruloplasmin or ferritin, contributing to cop- Estrogen Levels, Elevated per toxicity problems. Elevated copper levels often accompany elevated estrogens levels. A low tissue cop- Hemorrhaging per level frequently indicates a low estrogen Hemorrhaging on the surface of the heart level. This is particularly so when the is commonly associated with a copper defi- zinc/copper ratio exceeds 12.00/l. ciency. Administration of estrogens markedly increases both serum copper and ceruloplas- Hodgkin's Disease min concentrations. Copper scores have proved to be a particularly sensitive index in Hodgkin's disease. 'Failure To Thrive' Syndrome Zinc deficiency and copper toxicity are in- Hyperactivity, Childhood timately associated with developmental dis- Both copper and iron are stimulants to the ability and failure the thrive syndromes. brain. For this reason, both of these elements Adequate levels of zinc are essential for might play a role in the causation of hyperac- protein synthesis, growth and development. tivity and/or autism.

Fears Hypertension Excessive tissue copper levels are com- A high tissue copper level, by causing a monly associated with a wide variety of fears. zinc deficiency, predisposes one to hyperten- Often, as copper is eliminated from tissue sion, heart attacks and strokes. storage, one becomes increasingly aware of Excessive aldosterone, a mineralocorti- these fears and as a result, they are re- coid hormone which is produced by the adre- leased. nal cortex, is frequently responsible for elevated blood pressure, by raising sodium lev- Fractures, Bone els. Copper frequently raises sodium levels, Bone fractures are frequently associated indicating that copper has a stimulating effect with an elevated copper level. on aldosterone levels.

Headaches, Migraine Hypoglycemia Elevated copper levels are frequently as- Functional hypoglycemia is frequently associated with migraine headaches. sociated with elevated tissue copper levels. An excess of tissue copper reduces manga- Heart Attacks nese and zinc, thereby interfering with normal A high tissue copper level, by causing a glucose metabolism. zinc deficiency, predisposes one to hypertension, heart attacks and strokes. Hypothyroidism Copper deficiency results in sudden death An elevated copper tissue level is fre- from heart failure in livestock. The cattle suf- quently associated with hypothyroidism, par- fer from anemia first. ticularly when the zinc/copper ratio is greater than 10.00/1. The ideal zinc/copper ratio is Heavy Metal Toxicity 8.00/1. Heavy metal poisoning frequently accom- panies copper toxicity. A copper imbalance Infections can contribute to heavy metal poisoning by A tissue zinc/copper ratio of less than slowing the rate of metabolism, thereby re- 4.00/1 is frequently associated with an in- ducing the body's ability to detoxify heavy creased susceptibility to bacterial and viral 6 infections. Copper toxicity may predispose to infections by displacing zinc. Liver Detoxification And Dysfunctions Normally, to combat infections, copper is A high level of tissue copper, or a low mobilized from the liver. If copper is bioun- zinc/copper ratio (below 4.00/1) impairs the available and cannot be mobilized, suscepti- liver's ability to detoxify. bility to infections increases. Excessive copper, by lowering manganese, permits iron deposition in the liver re- Inflammation sulting in liver dysfunction. Inflammation is commonly associated with A copper deficiency, as indicated by a low an elevated tissue copper level, particularly tissue copper level, also interferes with the when the sodium/potassium ratio is greater ability of the liver to detoxify. than 6.00/l. Alterations in dietary copper intake might Copper frequently acts as an analgesic modify the toxicity of various foreign chemi- and may rise in response to an inflammatory cals which are activated or detoxified by he- process. Copper combined with aspirin, for patic microsomal enzyme systems. example, increases the pain-alleviating quali- ties of aspirin. However, copper's destructive Metabolic Dysfunctions effect upon protein structures can also cause Metabolic diseases associated with ele- inflammation in certain cases. vated copper levels are: • Hyperactivity Iron Storage Diseases • Psychosis The trace metal pattern of iron-storage • Depression, psychiatric disease suggests a relationship of iron, mo- • Atherosclerosis lybdenum, lead and possibly copper as a • Functional Hypoglycemia cause of these diseases. • Stuttering • Premenstrual Syndrome Kidney Disorders • Senility Kidney dysfunction is frequently associated with a zinc/copper ratio of less than Multiple Sclerosis 5.00/l. Although many factors are involved as The kidney problems are primarily due to causative factors of multiple sclerosis, a displacement of zinc by copper. common contributing factor may well be a low tissue copper level or a low copper level rela- Lead Toxicity tive to some other metal such as zinc. Demy- A low tissue copper level is frequently as- elination of nerves is known to result from a sociated with an elevated lead level. It has copper deficiency. been established that lead blocks copper en- Cases of multiple sclerosis, all of which zymatic reactions. The blocking of enzymatic had in common a dietary exposure to lead, reactions has serious ramifications on many have been reported. Lead adversely alters of life's most vital processes such as; copper metabolism as one aspect of its toxic- • normal functioning of the Krebs Cycle, ity. • production of biogenic amines such as dopamine, adrenalin, nor-adrenalin and Myocardial Infarction: High Serum Copper serotonin, Levels And Use of the Birth Control Pill • formation of thyroxin and The copper level of the heart is higher • production of the amino acid lysine, etc. than normal in those dying from heart attacks. Elevated serum copper due to use of Libido (Decreased) the birth control pill may explain the higher A high tissue copper level, or a low heart attack rate of users of the pill. zinc/copper ratio is frequently associated with a decreased libido. 7 Nervousness Pituitary Hyperactivity Excessive biogenic amine levels are fre- A zinc/copper ratio less than 4.1 may be quently associated with elevated tissue cop- associated with anterior pituitary hyperactiv- per levels. An excess of biogenic amines is ity. frequently responsible for nervousness, hypertension, etc. Premenstrual Tension Premenstrual tension is frequently the re- High Copper and Osteoporosis sult of a high tissue concentration of copper, An excessive level of copper can result in especially when the zinc level in the tissues is a manganese deficiency. A manganese defi- depressed. ciency is one of the principal causes of loss of calcium from the bone. The end result is Schizophrenia osteoporosis. Pfeiffer and others have postulated that excessive copper and iron and/or zinc and Low Copper and Osteoporosis manganese deficiency states are primary fac- Adequate levels of estrogen appear to tors in one type of schizophrenia, namely his- counteract osteoporosis. Low tissue copper tapenia. levels are commonly associated with low es- Histaminase is a copper containing en- trogen levels. zyme and both histaminase and ceruloplasmin can destroy histamines. Therefore, pa- Ovarian Dysfunction tients with high serum copper and ceru- A zinc/copper ratio of less than 4.00/l is loplasmin levels have low levels of blood his- frequently associated with ovarian dysfunc- tamine. The histapenic individual responds to tion. treatment which rids the body of excess copper and builds-up blood and tissue histamine. Pancreatic Dysfunction "A possible factor in some of the schizo- Pancreatic dysfunction is frequently asso- phrenias is a combined deficiency of zinc and ciated with elevated copper levels. Normal manganese, with a relative increase in iron pancreatic function is highly dependent upon and copper or both. The urinary copper ex- zinc and manganese, both of which are dis- cretion in schizophrenics is consistently less placed by excessive levels of copper. than in normal patients; zinc plus manganese Panic Attacks in dietary doses is effective in increasing Panic attacks are highly associated with copper elimination and reducing copper to copper toxicity. Zinc deficiency due to copper normal levels." (Pfeiffer) excess may contribute to this problem. Schizophrenia is not uncommon when the zinc/copper ratio is less than 3.00/l. Pantothenic Acid Deficiency Excessive copper levels have been asso- Sexual Inadequacy ciated with low levels of pantothenic acid. Sexual inadequacy is frequently the result of excess copper in the tissues, resulting in a Phobias zinc deficiency. Fears and phobias are commonly associated with copper toxicity. Fear may reduce Strokes adrenal gland activity, which causes a rise in A high tissue copper level, by causing a copper levels. relative zinc deficiency, predisposes one to Conversely, copper can affect thyroid and hypertension, heart attacks and strokes. adrenal gland activity and induce anxiety feel- ings. Zinc deficiency due to copper toxicity Tooth Decay may also play a role. High levels of lead, copper, zinc and chromium in the body tissues may tend to increase the tooth's susceptibility to decay. 8 Urinary Tract Infection assimilate animal protein. Elevated copper levels are frequently as- Junk-food diets contribute to copper im- sociated with urinary tract infections. balance because they are low in zinc, manganese and other essential elements which Vitamin Deficiencies are required for optimal adrenal gland activ- The following vitamin deficiencies in the ity. Deficiency of these nutrients therefore body may be caused by a copper deficiency: contributes to a detrimental buildup of excess vitamin C, inositol, folic acid, vitamin B6 and copper. rutin. Restore Adrenal Activity Effects Of Copper On Other Miner- Restore normal adrenal gland activity als through nutrition and positive lifestyle Copper, in excess, tends to lower manga- changes. nese, zinc and potassium levels. Copper tox- Lifestyle. A reduction in stressful activity is icity can also result in deficiency of vitamin C advisable. Adequate rest, sleep and avoiding and B6, inositol, folic acid and rutin. excessive exercise is beneficial. Copper tends to increase tissue levels of Enhancing adrenal gland activity is aided calcium and sodium. by a tissue mineral analysis. This test pro- Copper can displace iron from the liver. vides an indication of adrenal activity; trace mineral deficiencies and toxic metals which serve to interfere with normal adrenal activity. Effects Of Other Minerals And Vi- Nutritional supplement programs to en- tamins On Copper hance adrenal activity should include vitamin Mercury, cadmium and zinc – compete for C and E, manganese, pantothenic acid and absorption. adrenal glandular substance. Specific dos- Molybdenum and sulfur – bind copper in ages depend on individual cases. the intestine. A major goal of the nutritional supplement Iron and manganese – remove copper from program is to balance the oxidation rate, the liver. which increases the body's adaptive energy Zinc – lowers copper levels in the blood. thus allowing healing to take place. That is; Vitamin C – chelates copper in the blood. internal stress on the body is removed by nu- Vitamin B6, folic acid and niacin are also tritional balancing, allowing the adrenal copper antagonists. glands to return to more normal functioning. Cobalt is synergetic with copper. Increase Energy Levels by Balancing Detoxification And Correction Of Body Chemistry Copper Imbalance Optimizing energy levels is essential to Correction of a copper imbalance is ac- enable the body to eliminate toxic metals; in- complished by the following: cluding copper. This is best accomplished by balancing the oxidation rate as indicated on a Exposure to Copper hair analysis, using precise supplementation Remove sources of exposure, including as indicated on the test. birth control pills, copper IUD's, contaminated water supplies and copper-rich diets. Antagonists and Chelating Agents Strict vegetarian diets are to be avoided, Copper-lowering agents may be given, when possible, because of the high copper including mineral and vitamin antagonists, content of nuts, seeds, beans and grains. chelating agents and sequestrants. Specific However, the copper-toxic individual may re- nutrient antagonists and chelators are helpful quire a vegetarian-type diet for a period of depending on the individual's mineral bal- time until he is able to adequately digest and ance. These include vitamin C, molybdenum, 9 sulfur, vitamin B6, manganese, zinc and oth- The Time Factor ers. These nutrients need to be given in a Six months to several years may be re- manner that contributes to balancing the quired to correct a copper imbalance, de- overall body chemistry. pending on the severity of the copper toxicity problem. Note: There are times when it is not advisable to lower copper levels be- Copper Reactions (Copper Eliminations) yond a certain point. In these cases, a During the correction of a copper imbal- high copper level is serving as an ance, copper elimination frequently causes adaptive mechanism. transient symptoms including headache, skin rash, free-floating anxiety, insomnia, fatigue Excessive lowering of even a very high and a flare-up of chronic conditions related to copper level can result in anxiety or other a copper imbalance. symptoms. This is another reason why we These reactions generally last a day or recommend that copper-lowering nutrients be two and then subside. The supplement pro- used in conjunction with a complete nutri- gram may be temporarily reduced if a symp- tional program based on mineral testing. tom becomes particularly annoying. These symptoms are indications of a healing proc- Special Considerations Regarding ess and should be welcomed! Copper Detoxification Diet For The Copper-Toxic Individual Copper Eliminations and Increased Copper-toxic individuals frequently have Awareness an aversion to eating protein, particularly red Elimination of excess copper often is ac- meat. It is important for such individuals to companied by an increase in awareness. Not eat some protein at least twice a day, even if only may a person become aware of physical the quantity is small, otherwise progress is aches and pains, but also emotional conflicts delayed. Strict vegetarian diets are not advis- may come into consciousness. able, but may be necessary for a period of These reactions occur because many time in severe cases. copper-toxic individuals are living in a low- Many copper-toxic individuals have an in- ered state of awareness. An increase in satiable craving for sweets, fruit and fruit awareness is a necessary part of the healing juices. Such items should be limited as much process. Although there may be some tempo- as possible for optimal results. In many rary anxiety or pain, usually one feels much cases, a high carbohydrate diet is necessary better after the process has been completed. until adrenal activity is increased.

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10 References

1. Davies, I.J.T., The Clinical Significance of the Essential Biological Metals, Charles C. Thomas, Great Britain, 1972.

2. Hambridge, K.M & Nichols, B., Zinc and Copper in Clinical Medicine, Spectrum Publications, New York 1978.

3. Kutsky, R., Handbook of Vitamins, Minerals and Hormones, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1981.

4. Lontie, R., Copper Proteins and Copper Enzymes, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fl., 1984.

5. Nolan, Kevin R., Copper Toxicity Syndrome, Journal of Orthomolecular, 12:4:270-282.

6. Pfeiffer, C., Mental And Elemental Nutrients, Keats Publishing, New Canaan, Ct., 1975.

11 Glossary

Adaptive Energy - biochemical energy that the body uses to adapt and respond to stress.

Androgen - any substance, e.g., androsterone and testosterone, that stimulates male character- istics.

Ceruloplasmin - a blood protein which binds and transports most of the copper in the body.

Histaminase - a widely occurring flavoprotein enzyme that oxidizes histamine and various dia- mines.

Histamine - a compound that is found in many animal tissues or made synthetically. Histamine is probably responsible for the dilation and increased permeability of blood vessels which play a major role in allergic reactions.

Histapenia - a condition characterized by low histamine levels. Slow oxidizers tend to have lower histamine levels.

Internal stress - stress that is generated from within the body. Causes of internal stress include nutritional imbalances, toxic metal poisoning, structural imbalances, or other internal dysfunctions.

Nigris-S - a nutritional supplement produced by Endo-Met Labs. Nigris-S contains organic sulfur, which has been found helpful in reducing copper and other heavy metal toxicity.

Oxidation rate - oxidation refers to the rate at which the body burns the food it consumes and converts to energy. This process occurs at different rates of efficiency, depending on glandular activity. The oxidation rate can be measured using the calcium/potassium.