Copper as a therapeutic supplement

• PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Balancing high zinc intake, treating copper deficiency, Wilson's disease
• OTHER PROPOSED USES: Heart disease, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, protection against neurodegenerative diseases

DEFINITION: Natural substance of the human body used as a supplement to treat specific health conditions.

Overview

The adult human body contains 70 to 200 milligrams (mg) of copper (primarily copper protein), which is essential for many important enzymes and their functions, including regulating lipid metabolism and selenium balance. Most people obtain sufficient copper through their diet to maintain health. Copper’s possible role in treating disease is based on the fact that enzymes cannot do their jobs without it. However, there is little direct evidence that taking extra copper or wearing copper bracelets can treat any disease.

Requirements and Sources

The official US recommendations for daily intake of copper are as follows: 200 micrograms (mcg) for infants up to six months of age, 220 mcg for infants seven to twelve months of age, 340 mcg for children one to three years old, 440 mcg for children four to eight years old, 700 mcg for persons nine to thirteen years old, 890 mcg for persons fourteen to eighteen, and 900 mcg for those nineteen and older. Recommended intakes are 1,000 mcg during pregnancy and 1,300 mcg while nursing.

High zinc intake reduces copper stores in the body; therefore, those taking zinc in doses above nutritional levels (for example, in the treatment of macular degeneration) will need extra copper. In addition, persons taking iron or large doses of vitamin C may need extra copper. Ideally, copper should be taken at least two hours apart from these two nutrients, so that they do not interfere with each other’s absorption. Oysters, nuts, legumes, whole grains, sweet potatoes, and dark green leafy vegetables are good sources of copper. Drinking water that passes through copper plumbing is a good source of this mineral; sometimes, it may even provide too much.

Therapeutic Dosages

Copper is often recommended at a high (but still safe) daily dose of 1 to 3 mg (1,000 to 3,000 mcg).

Therapeutic Uses

Copper has been proposed as a treatment for osteoporosis, based primarily on studies that found benefit using combinations of various trace minerals, including copper. However, one study found that copper supplements taken alone may not be helpful.

One researcher, L. M. Klevay, has claimed in more than a dozen papers that copper deficiencies increase the risk of high cholesterol and heart disease, but he has failed to supply any real evidence that this idea is true. A small double-blind, placebo-controlled study of copper supplements for reducing heart disease risk factors, such as cholesterol profile, found no benefit.

Copper has long been considered a potential treatment for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is lacking. Other therapeutic uses for copper supplementation include treating copper deficiencies and Wilson's Disease, a genetic disorder in which copper chelation therapy is used to remove excess copper from the body. These copper-related conditions are the only conditions for which there is direct scientific evidence of copper's benefits. Other possible therapeutic uses for copper that continue to undergo research in the twenty-first century include antimicrobial properties that could be used to treat wounds and infections, anti-inflammatory effects that may prove useful in treating arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, and cardiovascular benefits. More studies are needed to expand the limited scientific evidence for copper's benefits for these conditions.

Safety Issues

The following daily doses of copper should not be exceeded: 1,000 mcg for children ages one to three years, 3,000 mcg for children ages four to eight, 5,000 mcg for children ages nine to thirteen, 8,000 mcg for persons ages fourteen to eighteen, and 10,000 mcg for persons nineteen and older. Doses for those who are pregnant or nursing should not exceed 10,000 mcg (ages fourteen to eighteen) or 8,000 mcg (aged 19 or over). Maximum safe dosages of copper for individuals with severe liver or kidney disease have not been determined.

Important Interactions

Individuals who are taking zinc should be sure to get enough copper. Individuals taking iron supplements or high doses of vitamin C may require additional copper. They should take copper either two hours before or two hours after taking these other substances, as advised by their physician.

Bibliography

Cashman, K. D., et al. "No Effect of Copper Supplementation on Biochemical Markers of Bone Metabolism in Healthy Young Adult Females Despite Apparently Improved Copper Status." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 55, 2001, pp. 525-31, doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601177. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

"Copper." Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, 18 Oct. 2022, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Copper-HealthProfessional. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

Ellis, Rachel Reiff. "Copper and Your Health." WebMD, 13 Aug. 2025, www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/copper-your-health. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

Finley, E. B., and F. L. Cerklewski. "Influence of Ascorbic Acid Supplementation on Copper Status in Young Adult Men." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 37, no. 4, 1983, pp. 553-56, doi:10.1093/ajcn/37.4.553. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

Lefton, Jennifer. "8 Copper Supplement Benefits and Potential Risks." Verywell Health, 2 Sept. 2025, www.verywellhealth.com/copper-benefits-4178854. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

Rondanelli, Mariangela, et al. "Copper as a Daily Supplement for Bone Metabolism: A Review." Nutrients, vol. 13, no. 7, p. 2246, 19 June 2021, doi:10.3390/nu13072246. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

"Wilson Disease Agents - LiverTox." NCBI, 25 July 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548883. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.