Copper

About Copper

Copper is an essential trace mineral. Official intake recommendations exist, and an upper intake level has been set because excess can damage the liver. Copper is a cofactor for many enzymes, including ceruloplasmin for iron oxidation and transport, copper zinc superoxide dismutase for antioxidant defense, cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, lysyl oxidase for collagen and elastin cross linking, tyrosinase for melanin synthesis, and dopamine beta hydroxylase for making norepinephrine. Deficiency is uncommon but can result from excess zinc intake, which induces intestinal metallothionein that traps copper, from gastric bypass and malabsorption, and from Menkes disease, an X linked disorder of copper transport. Features include anemia unresponsive to iron, neutropenia, bone abnormalities, loss of pigment and nerve damage. Wilson disease is an inherited copper overload disorder with accumulation in the liver, brain and cornea, where it forms Kayser Fleischer rings, treated with chelators such as penicillamine and trientine or with zinc.