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Copper along with zinc and iron are essential metals for normal central
nervous system development and function. If there were to be imbalances
death could result (apoptosis). Neuronal death may be contributing factors in
Alzheimers and Parkinson’s Disease.
About 90% of the copper in serum is incorporated into ceruloplasmin; the
rest is loosely bound to albumin, transcuprein, and other proteins, free amino
acids, and possibly histidine. Copper is transported in the blood to other
tissues, primarily bound to albumin. Copper is usually not directly
incorporated into ceruloplasmin. It requires an intermediate carrier protein
(albumin) in order to establish a more stable binding with ceruloplasmin. It
also exists in the blood as ceruloplasmin, a functional protein that acts as an
enzyme at the erythrocyte forming cells of the bone marrow. Serum copper
and immunoreactive ceruloplasmin levels tend to be higher in women than
in men. The serum copper concentration is greatest in the neonate and
decreases gradually in the first year of life.
Cow's milk is relatively low in copper, and cases of copper deficiency have
been reported in high-risk infants and children fed only cow's milk formula.
High-risk individuals include: premature infants (especially those with low-
birth weight), infants with prolonged diarrhea, infants and children
recovering from malnutrition, and individuals with malabsorption syndrome
including celiac disease, sprue, and short bowel syndrome due to surgical
removal of a large portion of the intestine. Individuals receiving intravenous
total parenteral nutrition or other restricted diets may also require
supplementation with copper and other trace elements. Recent research
indicates that cystic fibrosis patients may also be at increased risk of copper
insufficiency.
Inteventions
References
Sylvia Escott-Stump: Nutrition Diagnosis Related Care, 6th Edition, Lippincott-Williams & Wilkins, 2007
ES West, et al., Textbook of Biochemistry. 4th ed. Oxford
Lichtmann et al., William’s Hematology. 10th ed.
Mahan, Escott-Stump: Krause’s Food, Nutrition & Diet Therapy, 12th Ed., WB Saunders 2008
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec01/ch005/ch005c.html
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/copper/
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/factsheets/copper.html