Copper (Cu)
Trace Elements
Functions
- Oxidizes iron to enable it’s work in hemoglobin
- Neutralizes free radicals in SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD)
- A key component in Cytochrome C Oxidase
- Regulates iron
- Electron Transport Chain/energy production in every cell
- Oxidative phosphorylation/fatty acid production
- Neurotransmitter synthesis
- Levels correlate inversely with Zinc, when one goes up, the other goes down
- Formation of the skin pigment Melanin
- Lipid metabolism in fat cells (Adipocytes), decreasing total and LDL “bad” cholesterol
- Wound healing
- Tissue regeneration after cell death (Apoptosis)
- Antiviral effects
- Regulation of the Immune System
- Ceruloplasmin is a protein that regulates and binds copper as well as regulating certain hormones and formation of red blood cells
Reduces
- Inflammation
- Atherosclerotic lesions
- Pain
- Toxicity of certain anti-cancer drugs
- Tumor growth
- Fetal damage due to nicotine exposure
