Copper in Multivitamins

Multivitamins include copper because it is essential for healthy blood cells, nerves, and immunity.

Trace mineral copper is crucial for the proper functioning of many processes in the body via its structural role in enzymes. Most notably, it is involved in:

• Energy production. Copper is needed to make energy in the form of ATP.
• Tissue formation. Copper is involved in the formation of red blood cells, proteins, nerves, and connective tissue.
• Immune function. Copper is essential to proper functioning of the immune system.
• Antioxidant activity. Copper helps defend the body against oxidative stress.

Overview

Copper (Cu) is an element most popularly characterized for its malleable nature and excellent electrical conductivity. Although it is principally a naturally occurring metal, it has also been used historically as a pigment for art, as a wood preservative, and even as a fungicide.

As a nutrient, copper is considered a trace mineral involved in a multitude of essential processes such as energy production and production of red blood cells. Copper deficiency is extremely uncommon in the modern world, in no small part because of its presence in shellfish, meats, nuts, and leafy greens.

Current research shows that fewer than 6% of the U.S. population consume less than the optimal required amount.¹

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Copper

Age	Males	Females
0 – 12 months	200 – 220 µg	200 – 220 µg
1 – 8 years	340 – 440 µg	340 – 440 µg
9 – 13 years	700 µg	700 µg
14 – 18 years	890 µg	890 µg (1000 µg for pregnancy, 1300 µg for breast-feeding)
19+	900 µg	900 µg (1000 µg for pregnancy, 1300 µg for breast-feeding)

Foods High in Copper

Food	Serving Size	Amount per serving (µg)
Beef liver	1 ounce	4,128
Crab	3 ounces	692 – 1,005
Cashews	1 ounce	622
Lentils	1 cup	497
Mushrooms	1 cup	223
Peanut butter	1 tablespoon	185

How Copper Supports General Health

As a functional element of many essential enzymes, copper is widely recognized for its necessity in a wide range of bodily processes.

Facilitating enzyme function

Several fundamental physiologic functions depend on copper-based enzymes, known as cuproenzymes, including²:

• Energy production. A copper-dependent enzyme, cytochrome c oxidase, helps generate ATP by converting oxygen molecules (O2) into water (H2O) in the mitochondria.³
• Myelin formation. Cytochrome c oxidase also helps make the protective layer surrounding nerves, known as the myelin sheath.
• Neurotransmitter synthesis. Copper converts dopamine into norepinephrine.⁴
• Connective tissue formation. Copper facilitates the binding of collagen and elastin, which is critical to stabilize connective tissue, such as bones, cartilage, and blood vessels.⁵
• Red blood cell formation. Iron is formed and then loaded onto red blood cells with the help of copper enzymes.⁶
• Antioxidant activity. The copper-containing compounds superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ceruloplasmin help protect the body from damage caused by oxidative s tress.⁷

In addition, copper also appears to support immune system function, although the exact mechanisms are not yet understood.

Copper’s Benefits as a Multivitamin

Although the large majority of people get plenty of copper from their diet, its wide range of essential roles – which include optimal blood, bone, nerve, and immune function – make copper a common addition to multivitamin products.

Multivitamin Dosage

• Multivitamins typically include 500 µg – 2 mg of copper as copper sulfate or copper gluconate
• The upper tolerable limit of copper is 10 mg per day