ABOUT COPPER & HEALTH
Copper is a natural material that plays an essential role in plant and animal growth, tissue health and a variety of critical life functions.
About Copper & Health
Copper is a natural material that plays an essential role in plant and animal growth, tissue health and a variety of critical life functions. Some of the most important functions of nutritional copper in humans are
- Fetal and infant growth
- Proper functioning of the heart and liver
- Bone strength and maintenance
- Brain development
- Treatment of skin disorders
- Combat against bacterial infections, gout and even some skin cancers
Copper deficiency in humans can cause a number of serious health consequences that can lead to chronic disease. Most of our daily requirement of copper comes from our diet. Copper-rich foods include nuts, seeds, chickpeas, livers, oysters and chocolate. Natural foods such as cereals, meat and fish generally contain sufficient copper to provide up to 50% of the required daily copper intake in a balanced diet.
We also obtain some copper from drinking water. Copper pipes promote water purity and cleanliness and, since copper inhibit the growth of water-borne viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria, it makes drinking water safer.
Copper is also vital for plants and animals and plays an important role in plant health and agriculture. Copper is important for "healthy soil" and "healthy livestock." Copper deficiencies in soil and animal nutrition can lead to crop failures and livestock diseases. It is also an indispensable treatment for a variety of plant diseases.
