Minerals/copper and zinc?

Anyone, especially MM and Andrea,

Have you seen any studies on copper/zinc deficiency?  Post me a link if you have one.  (Not deficient, just wondering if I should add supplements).

Thanks!

Copper, zinc, and iron form the trifecta.  When you get anemic and supplement one, you will eventually have issues with all three.  They like to be in a specific balance.

http://www.irondisorders.org/disorders/about.asp

(In the very last segment of the article)

All nutrients are important to normal metabolism, but some are key. B12, B6 (folate), zinc and copper must be present in adequate amounts because iron is dependent on these for absorption and transport.

Iron, zinc, copper, B12 and folate are essential to red blood cell production. These minerals work in unison, and excesses in any of one of them will deplete stores of the other two. Often when there is an iron deficiency there will be a zinc deficiency at the same time. Unless a physician specifically looks at zinc levels, the deficiency may be determined as insufficient iron and treated will not be complete.

As with any supplementation, moderation is important. High doses of supplemental zinc can interfere with copper utilization. This imbalance in copper can lead to impaired metabolism of iron because iron cannot be transported or utilized without copper. Therefore a copper deficiency results in iron deficiency anemia. High levels of zinc, iron, calcium and manganese interfere with copper absorption. Deficiencies in copper can result in auditory hallucinations, depression and may contribute to binge and purge eating disorders.

The copper RDA for adults is 0.9 mg daily. A slightly higher amount is recommended during pregnancy, and 1.3 mg daily is recommended for mothers who breast-feed. A high copper intake adversely effects zinc absorption, and thus dosage recommendations for copper consider dosages for zinc. The optimal ratio of zinc to copper is 10:1 or 10 milligrams of zinc to 1 milligram of copper.

Thanks, Andrea!