Copper Nutrition.

Tried covering almost all nutritional contents of copper.

1. COPPER - Smita Shinde -Prathamesh Shasane B016

2. INTRODUCTION Copper is an essential trace element that is vital to the health of living organisms. In humans, copper is essential to proper functioning of organs and metabolic processes. Human body has complex   homeostatic  mechanisms which attempt to ensure a constant supply of available copper

3. Adult humans contain 100 to 150 mg of copper 65 mg - muscles, 23 mg - bones 18 mg - liver. It occurs as: Erythrocuprein , Hepatocuprein and Cerebrocuprein .

4. SOURCES Average diet provides 2 to 4 mg/day in the form of meat, shellfish, legumes, nuts and cereals. Milk and milk-products are poor sources. [1] oysters, liver, whole grain breads, dark green leafy vegetables and chocolate are other sources. [2]

5. FUNCTIONS Copper is required in synthesis of hemoglobin, although it is not a component of Hb . [1] Copper works together with iron to form RBCs. [2] Keeps nerve cells and immune system healthy. [2] It helps form collagen (key part of bones & connective tissue). [2] Acts as antioxidant. [2] Copper helps body absorb iron. [2]

6. FUNCTIONS [1] Role in enzyme action Helps in Fe ++ metabolism Maturation of Elastin Formation of bones and maintenance of myelin sheath

7. ABSORPTION Primarily absorbed from the duodenum. About 32% of the dietary Cu can be absorbed. Phytates,Zinc , Mo, Cd , Ag, Hg and high amount of Vit . C inhibit Cu absorption. Requires special mechanism due to its insoluble nature. Plasma: After absorption, Cu enters plasma, where it is bound to amino acids, particularly histidine and serum albumin.

8. EXCRETION Under normal conditions, 85 to 99 per cent of the ingested Cu is excreted in the faeces via the bile and remaining 1 to 15 per cent in the urine.

9. RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE (RDA) PEDIATRIC AGE GROUP: For infants from birth to 6 months: 200 mcg daily For infants 7 to 12 months: 220 mcg daily For children 1 to 3 years: 340 mcg daily For children 4 to 8 years: 440 mcg daily For children 9 to 13 years: 700 mcg daily For children 14 to 18 years: 890 mcg daily

10. RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE (RDA) ADULT AGE GROUP: For adults 19 years and older: 900 mcg daily For pregnant women: 1,000 mcg daily For breastfeeding women: 1,300 mcg daily

11. If you take a copper supplement, you should also take a zinc supplement (8 to 15 mg of zinc for every 1 mg of copper), as an imbalance of these two minerals can cause other health problems. [3] For your body to use copper, you need to have a balance of zinc and manganese. [3]

12. Cu DEFICIENCY MANIFESTATIONS Loss of weight Bone disorders Anaemia Grey hair Myocardial atrophy Demyelination of neurons Kayser Fliecher’s ring

13. Top 10 Copper Rich Foods List 1 ) Beef liver 2) Sunflower seeds 3) Lentils 4) Almonds 5) Dried apricots 6) Dark chocolate 7) Blackstrap molasses 8) Asparagus 9) Mushrooms 10) Turnip greens

14. REFERENCE MN Chatterjea , Rana Shinde ; Textbook of Medical Biochemistry; Section Four, Chap 33; Page 623-624 http://www.healthsupplementsnutritionalguide.com/recommended-daily-allowances/ http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/copper