5 replies to this topic

[jwilcox25]

I consistently test for low plasma/serum zinc and copper.  Copper always below 5% reference interval, zinc slightly above the reference interval.  I supplement 15mg zinc / 1 mg copper, but my numbers are still on the low side (especially copper, still below 5%) and I am considering increasing the dosage.  I know there are many downsides of copper supplementation, but deficiency is bad too eg fatigue.  If my copper serum levels are low, would I be avoiding the detrimental effects of supplementation, especially to the brain like Alzheimer's?  Is it harmful to supplement zinc without copper, given very low copper levels?

 

My diet leans toward vegetarian, but not completely.  I take carvedilol (Coreg) which is a copper chelator.  I also take a lot of polyphenols (blueberries) which may also have chelating properties.

[Area-1255]

Copper plays a role in oxygen consumption / utilization...so very high or very low levels both leads to similar issues. Low levels of Copper typically present with 'Adrenal Fatigue' type symptoms and anemia-type symptoms; e.g fatigue, poor response to exercise and nerve issues. Copper also has very profound effects on the adrenaline/noradrenaline system, very low Copper typically results in lower sympathetic nervous system activity...whereas high Copper typically presents itself as a 'hyper-adrenaline' like state; full of paranoia, grandiosity, delirium, anger/aggression etc... whereas low Copper typically feels opposite; where one feels a little too 'passive' and in many cases, depressed.

 

I will say this though - high copper is no fun either..been there, done that years ago...you will turn into an asshole and not trust anyone. At the least you will be angry 24/7 high copper or at least irritable. 

[pamojja]

 - high copper is no fun either..been there, done that years ago...you will turn into an asshole and not trust anyone. At the least you will be angry 24/7 high copper or at least irritable. 

 

With about 4.2 mg copper from diet and 1.2 mg from supplements, 13 mg zinc from diet and 41 mg from supplements during the last 7 years - about a 1 : 10 ratio - been at about midrange for copper (serum) and zinc levels (whole blood; copper is about 60% in serum vs. red blood cell, zinc only 35% in serum vs. RBC).

 

However, last years I overdid with copper supplementation and neglected zinc a bit (1.9 mg copper), serum levels for copper shoot up to 192 (65 - 165 µg/dl), while zinc went just below normal. In this last year experience I can't confirm such marked mood alterations you mention from high copper.

 

A year later levels are back to my mean normal again. I highly recommend testing blood levels (which I compare to yearly hair tissue mineral analysis) for more precise supplementation of copper and zinc.

 

 

PS: Been mostly vegetarian and take lot's of potential mineral chelators too.

Edited by pamojja, 26 September 2015 - 12:53 PM.

[ceridwen]

My copper when last tested was 40% higher than normal and I had high homocystine
but I don't feel angry perhaps I should

[Area-1255]

My copper when last tested was 40% higher than normal and I had high homocystine
but I don't feel angry perhaps I should

Don't make yourself angry if you're not angry bro lol!

I'm just saying that's how it affected me - it certainly won't do the same for everyone. 

[markymark]

Hello

I strongly recommend reading the transcript or listenting to this:

#90 Most Health Issues Stem from Copper Dysregulation PART 1 with Morley Robbins

https://liveto110.co...morley-robbins/

and Part 2

https://liveto110.co...morley-robbins/

 

I found myself (may 2015) low in copper, coeruloplasmin and wholeblood copper and low in whole blood manganese as well, after having overdone it with zinc (50 mg 3-4 times per week) ....

I am supplementing 6 mg copper since May 2015. Surprisingly, no increase in whole blood copper after 1 - and 2 months (I know, that red blood cells live  90  days and more, but I was curious an took my blood after 1 month). The wholeblood copper tests came back even slightly lower than the already low initial result. Coeruloplasmin rose a bit. Although I feel not too bad in terms of health, some of the symptoms of low copper seem to be present. I am curiois how things work out with more copper......

PS Urine copper was near the lower range of normal spot-urine, thus no Wilsons disease....

regs mm

 

 

Edited by markymark, 27 September 2015 - 05:37 PM.