The relationship between copper and human health
Copper ions (copper) are essential elements for organisms, whether animals or plants. Copper is one of the essential trace elements for the human body. Its content in the human body ranks third, second only to iron and zinc. It is mainly distributed in muscles and bones, liver and blood. The content in adults is about 50~150mg, of which about 50%~70% is distributed in bones and muscles, about 20% is distributed in the liver, 5%~10% is contained in the blood, and the remaining small amount exists in the form of enzymes.
Copper plays an important role in human growth and development, immune function and nervous system. It participates in many important biochemical reactions in the human body, such as energy metabolism, hemoglobin synthesis, cytochrome redox, etc. Enzymes containing copper include tyrosinase, monoamine oxidase, superoxidase, superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin, etc. Copper has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can help the human body resist diseases. Copper can promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin, maintain skin elasticity and moisture, and contribute to skin health. Copper can also affect the synthesis of collagen and the metabolism of bone matrix, thereby promoting bone development and maintaining bone density. Copper plays an important role in living organisms and is of great significance for maintaining human health and function.
Foods rich in copper
Foods rich in copper include nuts, seafood, beans and their products, mushroom products, animal liver, shellfish, etc., including pine nuts, sesame seeds, peanuts, lobsters, crabs, mussels, oysters, tofu, soybeans, mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, lamb liver, pork liver, etc. Among them, oysters contain the most copper. The black sacs of octopus and cuttlefish are not only rich in tyrosine, but also have a high copper content.
Absorption and excretion of copper
Absorption
The absorption rate is 30% to 40%. The stomach, duodenum and upper part of the small intestine are the main absorption sites of copper, and its intestinal absorption is an active absorption process. The transporter of copper ions inside and outside the membrane is ATPase, which relies on the phosphorylation of aspartic acid residues for energy supply. It can combine the actively absorbed copper with albumin in the portal vein collateral circulation and transport it to the liver for further metabolism.
Excretion
Copper is mainly excreted through bile, which contains low-molecular and high-molecular copper-binding compounds. The former are mostly found in liver bile, while the latter are mostly found in gallbladder bile. Copper can enter bile through lysosomal exocytosis or copper transfer by ATPase. Copper in bile can also be the result of hepatocyte lysosomes decomposing copper-binding proteins in bile. Copper in plasma is mostly bound to ceruloplasmin or exists in renal cells, rarely filtered through glomeruli, and the amount of copper in urine is very low under normal circumstances. Copperuria occurs when there is an imbalance in copper excretion, storage and ceruloplasmin synthesis.
The need for copper in different groups
The human body's need for copper varies with age, gender and physiological condition. Generally speaking, adults need to consume 2 to 3 mg of copper per day, and pregnant women and infants should double it. Copper deficiency can cause various diseases, which can be supplemented by taking copper supplements and pills.
The hazards of copper deficiency
Copper deficiency can lead to increased plasma cholesterol and increase the risk of atherosclerosis, so it is an important factor in causing coronary heart disease. Scientists have also found that nutritional anemia, hair abnormalities (premature graying and hair loss), vitiligo, osteoporosis, female infertility, gastric cancer and esophageal cancer are all related to human copper deficiency. Severe copper deficiency and long-term marginal copper deficiency can also cause pediatric maldevelopment and some endemic diseases. Copper deficiency can also cause the nervous system's inhibition process to be disordered, causing the nervous system to be in an excited state and leading to insomnia, and over time, neurasthenia can occur.
Hazards of excessive copper
Excessive intake of copper can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and may also cause nervous system disorders such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. In addition, excessive copper may also damage the liver and cause chronic hepatitis, cerebellar abnormalities, kidney damage and other diseases. Therefore, in daily life, we should pay attention to controlling the intake of copper and avoid excessive intake.
