Natural Health Products
Non-traditional solutions to help boost your health and wellness.
Copper
General Information
Copper has been mined for thousands of years. Because it is easy to shape, it was commonly used to make tools and pottery. Copper occurs naturally in several foods including vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, fruits, shellfish, beef, and animal organs. Drinking water also contains small amounts of copper.
Common Name(s)
Scientific Name(s)
Copper
How is this product usually used?
Copper is available as chewable tablets, caplets, capsules, strips, powders, or liquids. It is a mineral that is taken orallyorallyto be taken by mouth (swallowed) (by mouth). In general, the recommended daily dietary allowances (amounts recommended in food) are:
Children
- 1 to 3 years: 340 µg/day
- 4 to 8 years: 440 µg/day
Adolescents
- 9 to 13 years: 700 µg/day
- 14 to 18 years: 890 µg/day
Adults
- ≥ 19 years: 900 µg/day
Pregnancy
- 14 to 50 years: 1,000 µg/day
Breast-feeding
- 14 to 50 years: 1,300 µg/day
Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.
What is this product used for?
Copper has been used for:
- helping to make and repair connective tissue
- making red blood cells (preventing anemia due to copper deficiency)
- preventing copper deficiency
People have also used copper for osteoporosis.
Research suggests that copper may be effective for treating copper deficiency, making red blood cells, and making and repairing connective tissue.
There is some research evidence to show that a copper combination product (that also contains zinc, calcium and manganese) might slow bone loss in post menopausal women; however, more reliable research is needed to confirm this.
Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.
What else should I be aware of?
The incidence of side effects due to copper increases with increasing concentrations. Side effects may include stomach ache, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Copper poisoning is rare but it may cause severe side effects including bloody diarrhea, low blood pressure, low numbers of blood cells, liver damage, kidney failure, heart problems, fever, and jaundice.
Copper can interact with some medications. It decreases the absorption of penicillamine. Consult your health care provider if you have any questions.
Copper supplements made from copper HAP or HVP chelate should only be used by adults.
You should avoid copper if you are allergic to copper. Consult your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding before taking copper.
Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.
Source(s)
- Health Canada. Drugs & Health Products. Monograph – Copper. www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/applications/licen-prod/monograph/mono_copper-cuivre-eng.php, accessed 13 April 2011
- Micromedex Healthcare Series. Copper. www.thomsonhc.com/hcs/librarian/ND_T/HCS/ND_PR/…ntentSetId/38/SearchTerm/copper/SearchOption/BeginWith (1 of 2)4/01/11 5:14:26 PM, accessed 01 April 2011
- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Copper. www.naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=902 (1 of 5)4/01/11 4:59:26 PM, accessed 01 April 2011
- Natural Standard- the Authority on Integrative Medicine. Copper. www.naturalstandard.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/databases/herbssupplements/copper.asp (1 of 35)4/01/11 4:52:02 PM, accessed 01 April 2011
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2020. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
