Do you ever drink from copper cups? You might want to start!
Did you know that copper is the third most prevalent mineral in the human body? Copper is super crucial for your health because it allows certain metabolic processes to occur. Copper assists with energy production, iron utilization, elimination of free radicals, development of bone and connective tissues, and melanin production. Copper rocks!
The body cannot produce copper on it’s own so it must come from external sources. Some excellent sources of copper include oysters, liver, meat, seafood, beans, whole grain soy flour, wheat bran, almonds, avocados, barley, garlic, nuts, oats, blackstrap molasses, beets and lentils. Copper also reaches the human body by drinking water from copper pipes and by using copper cooking wear.
How do you know if you’re deficient in copper? Symptoms include the following:
■ Anemia
■ Low body temperature
■ Brittle bones
■ Osteoporosis
■ Dilated veins
■ Low white blood cell count
■ Uneven heartbeat
■ Elevated cholesterol levels
■ Low resistance to infections
■ Birth defects
■ Low skin pigmentation
■ Thyroid disorders
Some other symptoms include lethargy, paleness, sores, edema, stunted growth, hair loss, anorexia, diarrhea, bleeding under the skin and dermatitis.
Check out these amazing benefits of including copper in your diet:
1. Eases arthritis pain: The health benefits of copper relate to its anti-inflammatory actions to assist in reducing the symptoms of arthritis. Copper also works as a home remedy for arthritis. By storing water in a copper container overnight the copper accumulates enough traces which are beneficial to strengthen the muscular system.
2. Assists proper growth: Copper is highly essential for normal growth and health. Thus, it is definitely important to include this mineral in regular diets of an individual. It is helpful in protection of skeletal, nervous and cardiovascular systems.
3. Pigmentation to hair and eyes: Copper is a vital element of the natural dark pigment, melanin, which imparts coloration to skin, hair, and eyes.
4. Connective tissues: Copper is an important nutrient that has a significant role in the synthesis of hemoglobin, myelin, body pigment melanin and collagen. It helps to protect the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves. It is also actively involved in the production of an element of connective tissue, elastin.
5. Brain stimulation: Copper is widely known as a brain stimulant. However, copper content in the diet has to be in proper proportions. Too much copper is also not healthy for the brain. Copper has a control function to play for the brain and hence the extent of copper supplement intake has to be balanced.
6. Utilization of iron and sugar: Copper helps in the absorption of iron from the intestinal tract and release from its primary storage sites like the liver. It also helps in the utilization of sugar in the body.
7. Enzymatic reactions: Copper is either an element or a cofactor of as many as 50 different enzymes that take part in various biological reactions within the body. These enzymes can function properly only in the presence of copper.
8. Antioxidant: Copper is a strong antioxidant which helps to safeguard the cell membranes from free radicals.
9. Inhibits bacterial growth: Studies have shown that copper can destroy or inhibit the growth of bacterial strains such as E Coli.
10. Increases thyroid function: Copper has an important role in ensuring the proper functioning of thyroid glands.
11. Increases red blood cell formation: Copper helps in the production of red blood cells hemoglobin and bone.
12. Enhances immunity: Copper has an important role in the healing process and thus, ensures better wound healing. Copper acts as an extremely good immunity builder. It also works as a cure to anemic problems.
13. Reduces cholesterol: Research studies have shown that copper can reduce bad cholesterol level and helps in increasing beneficial cholesterol.
So what is the best way to get more copper into your diet?
The simplest, purest, most natural way to actually take small amounts of copper daily is to drink filtered copper water. Using a pure copper cup, fill the cup with filtered water before going to bed and leave it at room temperature. In the morning the cup will have picked up small amounts of copper from the glass. Drink the full glass of water first thing in the morning. Refill the cup with filtered water and repeat every evening.