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
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