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Copper – Part #2

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Copper is essential for life

Dietary recommendations:

The estimated safe and adequate intake for copper is 1.5 - 3.0 mg/day. Many survey studies show that Americans consume about 1.0 mg or less of copper per day. Copper is found in vegan foods such as nuts [0.2 to 0.5 mg/28 g (1 Tbsp.)] and legumes (0.2 mg/serving). Grains, grain products have appreciable levels of copper. While these food items are good to excellent sources of copper, the absolute amount of copper absorbed may be influenced by other dietary components.

Copper absorption may be decreased by excess dietary iron or zinc. Conversely, too much copper may cause an iron deficiency. Excessive vitamin C supplementation results in decreased copper status. In rats, large doses of vitamin C can lead to copper deficiency. Other dietary components have an influence upon copper status, but not necessarily absorption. Feeding rats either sucrose or fructose, as opposed to glucose or cornstarch, decreases copper status and exacerbates the signs of copper deficiency.
Toxicity:

Cases of copper toxicity are rare but may occur. Excess copper consumption may lead to liver damage. Intake of supplements exceeding 3 mg copper/day for a protracted period of time may be cause for concern. Doses of 10 mg/day over several weeks may lead to toxic symptoms, such as weakness and nausea.
Genetic Conditions relating to copper:

There are two well known genetic diseases affecting copper metabolism. Menkes' kinky¬hair disease is a problem with copper transport or absorption. Wilson's disease is characterized by increased liver copper content, leading to severe hepatic damage, followed by increased brain copper levels and neurological problems. Menkes' disease results in pathology resembling copper-deficiency, as opposed to the pathology of Wilson's disease, which resembles copper-toxicity. The Menkes' gene codes for a P-type ATPase that has a mutation that prevents copper absorption in the intestine.

Importance of Copper:

  • Helps oxidize glucose and release energy.
  • Helps the body absorb iron.
  • Aids the thyroid gland in balancing and secreting hormones.
  • Carries oxygen in the blood stream.
  • Supplies the body's tissues with oxygen.
  • Increases the body's energy levels.
  • Aids in nerve and brain function.
  • Needed for the functioning of the amino acid, tyrosine.
  • Essential for making red blood cells.
  • Helps the body absorb iron.
  • Helps tyrosine work as a pigment factor.
  • Helps supply oxygen to the brain.
  • Enzyme component.
  • Necessary for the synthesis of the hormone adrenaline.
  • Associated with intestinal enzyme activity.
  • Acts as a brain stimulant.
  • Copper antagonizes manganese ions.
  • Copper level in the body parallels estrogen levels.
  • Copper is a natural yeast fighter.
  • Copper improves epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine.
  • Helps oxidize Vitamin C and works with Vitamin C to form Elastin, a chief component of the Elastin muscle fibers throughout the body - also aids in the formation of red blood cells.

 

Copper – Part #1

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Copper is essential part of life

Most of the copper in the body is located in the liver, bones and muscle, but traces of copper occur in all tissues of the body. The liver excretes excess copper into the bile for elimination from the body. Copper is a component of many enzymes.

Copper is involved in the absorption, storage and metabolism of iron. The symptoms of a copper deficiency are similar to iron deficiency - anemia. Copper may be absorbed by both the stomach and small intestinal mucosa, with most absorbed by the small intestine. Copper is found in the blood, bound to proteins.

Copper is utilized by most cells as a component of enzymes involved in energy production (cytochrome oxidase) and in the protection of cells from free radical damage (superoxide dismutase). Copper is also involved with an enzyme that strengthens connective tissue (lysyl oxidase) and in brain neurotransmitters (dopamine hydroxylase and peptidyl alpha amidating monoxygenase). One of the proteins, ceruloplasmin, transports copper as well as helping convert iron to a form that can be transported to other tissues. The average level of copper stored in the body is from 50 to 120 mg, with most of this in the liver. Excess dietary copper can also lead to high copper levels in the kidney. However, under normal situations, not much copper is excreted via the urine. Most copper is excreted via bile that is released into the gastrointestinal tract, with minimal copper reabsorbed by intestinal cells. The uptake of copper and elimination through the bile allows copper to be conserved and tightly regulated.

Deficiencies:

Animals that are fed diets deficient in copper often exhibit anemia, cardiac abnormalities such as blood vessel and heart rupture, abnormal EKG's and have elevated levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. A lifetime of marginal diet copper in humans is thought to lead to heart disease. Copper deficiency has been observed in premature infants and infants suffering from malnutrition. Overt symptoms in adults are rare, but may occur with long term shortage or, possibly, in those who consume zinc supplements for a period of time.

Biotin – The Powerful ‘B’ Vitamin

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Biotin, a member of the B Vitamin family, is an essential nutrient in human nutrition

It is involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids, gluconeogenesis, energy production, the metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine) and the de novo synthesis of purine nucleotides. Recent research indicates that biotin plays a role in gene expression, both at the transcriptional and translational levels, and that it may also play a role in DNA replication.

The first demonstration of biotin-deficiency in animals was observed in animals fed raw egg white. Rats fed egg white protein were found to develop dermatitis, hair loss and neuromuscular dysfunction. This syndrome was called egg white injury and was discovered to be caused by a glycoprotein found in egg white called avidin. It was subsequently found that egg white injury could be cured by a liver factor which was first called protective factor X and later determined to be biotin. Because biotin cured the skin disorder of egg white injury it was called vitamin H. H is for haut, the German word for skin. Avidin causes egg white injury because it binds very tightly to biotin, preventing its absorption. This is only true for native avidin, which is resistant to hydrolysis by proteolytic enzymes. When egg white is cooked, avidin is denatured and denatured avidin is digested by proteolytic enzymes.

Here is the biochemical pathways for biotin for those who desire a little more in-depth study. Biotin is the coenzyme for four carboxylases. Acetyl coenzyme A (CoA) carboxylase, found in both the mitochondria and cytosol, catalyzes the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA. Malonyl-CoA is the immediate precursor of 14 of the 16 carbon atoms of the fatty acid palmitic acid. It is also the immediate precursor of all of the fatty acids up to palmitic acid. Further, the reaction catalyzed by acetyl-CoA carboxylase, a complex reaction, is the primary regulatory, or rate-limiting, step in the biosynthesis of fatty acids. Pyruvate carboxylase, which is located in the mitochondria, catalyzes the carboxylation of pyruvate to form oxaloacetate. Oxaloacetate can be metabolized in the tricarboxylic acid cycle or it can be converted to glucose in the liver and kidney and other tissues that are involved in gluconeogenesis. The formation of oxaloacetate from pyruvate is known as an anaplerotic reaction. Anaplerotic is from the Greek word anaplerosis, meaning filling up or restoration. The pyruvate carboxylate reaction is the principal reaction which replenishes tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase, also located in the mitochondria, is involved in the metabolism of L-leucine, while the mitochondrial enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase is involved in the metabolism of L-isoleucine and L-valine, as well as L-threonine and L¬methionine.

Biotin has been found to inhibit the generation of reactive oxygen species, including superoxide anions, by neutrophils.

The symptoms and signs of biotin-deficiency, include a generalized erythematous scaly skin eruption, alopecia, conjunctivitis and neurological abnormalities. The rash may be distributed around the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and perineal orifices. The facial appearance associated with the deficiency, with the rash around the eyes, nose and mouth along with an unusual distribution of facial fat, is called biotin deficiency facies. In biotin deficient infants, the neurological findings are hypotonia, lethargy and developmental delay. In adults, the neurological findings are lethargy, depression, hallucinations and paresthesias of the extremities. Marginal biotin status may occur under certain conditions, e.g., during the first trimester of pregnancy, and it is thought that this situation may be teratogenic. Functional biotin deficiency occurs in certain genetic disorders.

Charcoal

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Activated Charcoal

Activated Charcoal is a form of carbon that is made by 'burning' coconut shell or wood chips without the presence of oxygen. After this process occurs, steam is introduced under high pressure. This activated charcoal is capable of transporting toxins out of the system due to its adsorption capabilities. This means that the charcoal is extremely porous as well as having an extremely large surface area.

Charcoal has been used for many years all around the globe. It is useful in a wide variety of applications such as water filtration, mask filtration systems, air purification and in the medical industry.

It is generally sold as a powder but it is available in tablet and capsule form too.

You may not know this, but they still use this great product in emergency rooms around the world. It is extremely useful for cases such as overdose and chemical poisoning. It is also used for other emergencies such as a snake or spider bites. It helps to draw out the toxin when applied topically.
Some people keep charcoal handy to help alleviate the discomfort caused by stomach upset, bloating, diarrhoea, food poisoning and wind. Internally it has the ability to absorb toxins and pass the toxins out through the bowel.

Genetically Modified Foods

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Genetically modified foods are being introduced without us even being aware - learn how to avoid them

In 2008, the first genetically engineered crops were introduced in Australia, with GE canola now grown in NSW and Victoria. Canola is found in a range of foods from margarines and vegetable oils to ice creams, breads and sauces.

The majority of Australians do not want to eat GE food. Food companies are increasingly responding to consumer demands by removing GE ingredients from their products.

The True Food Guide is your shopping list for GE-free shopping in the absence of Australian labelling laws for GE foods. The pocket-sized guide rates companies (and their brands) either Green (GE-free) or Red (may contain GE).

Buy Green. Companies and supermarkets listed as green have implemented policies and procedures throughout their supply chain to actively avoid ingredients derived from GE crops.

Avoid Red. The companies and supermarkets listed in the red section of the guide may have products that contain ingredients derived from GE crops.

GE free foodTo view this handy guide please visit this web site. The book is available as a PDF to download. www.truefood.org.au

Also visit www.greenpeace.org.au Greenpeace is campaigning to keep Australia free from GM foods.

 

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