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Side Effects of Copper

Copper is found throughout the body as it is an essential part of the chemical make-up of every tissue. Copper works within the body to help produce hemoglobin, collagen, melanin and it also acts as an antioxidant and pro-oxidant.

  1. Copper

    • Copper is found throughout the human body, but a balance needs to be maintained to stay healthy. Health problems exist when you have an excess of copper or too little. Another health problem is when it fails to be released by tissues that surround certain organs of the body. One of the most important uses of copper is when it is combined with vitamin C to form a connective tissue called elastin.

    Medication

    • Copper can be consumed as a supplement through foods such as meats, eggs, poultry, nuts and grains. When taken as a supplement copper can react in a negative way and produce side effects which may nullify any medication you may be taking. For example, women on birth control medication and estrogen replacement therapies already contain high levels of copper from their medications. When adding supplements, it may cause copper levels to raise to dangerous levels. Increased zinc supplements have also been linked to decreased absorption of copper in the intestines which leads to copper deficiency.

    Toxicity

    • Copper toxicity, or the buildup of large amounts of copper within the body, causes side effects including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headaches, dizziness, diarrhea and a metallic taste in the mouth. The excess buildup of copper can result in health problems, such as heart issues, jaundice, coma and in extreme cases, death. Certain medical conditions have also been associated with copper buildup. These conditions include Alzheimer's Disease and cervical dysplasia.

    Reduction

    • As an important mineral to the body, any reduction in the amount of copper can result in health problems. A copper deficiency can cause negative effects with the glandular, nervous and respiratory systems. Copper also acts as an antioxidant, which reduces the amount of damaging particles. In contrast to the antioxidant, a pro-oxidant acts as a damaging particle that can damage genetic tissue within the human body. For copper to move successfully around the tissues of the body, it must be bound to other chemicals present within the tissues.

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