Copper Overload & Women’s Health

Margo Gladding on
Copper and zinc balance afffects health, including mental health, in a number of ways.

Copper and zinc are important trace minerals that work together to ensure the proper functioning of many biochemical processes in the body. They are antagonists, meaning that as levels of one decrease the other increases and vice versa. It is essential that copper and zinc be in balance relative to one another for optimal health. Unfortunately, many individuals have excess copper and a deficiency in zinc, which can have a profound impact on mental and physical well-being. This type of imbalance is very common in mental health conditions such as depression, behavior disorders, ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia.

While the body has an elaborate system for managing and regulating trace metals, many individuals have a genetic mutation that specifically impacts copper utilization and excretion. Other factors that can contribute to copper overload include zinc deficiency, environmental copper exposures, xenoestrogens, copper cookware, copper pipes in the home, birth control, and hormonal therapies. When copper rises to toxic levels, it can accumulate in the brain and body where it impacts glandular and nervous system functioning and causes harmful oxidative damage.

Copper has a stimulating effect and when there is too much of it, it can send the brain and body into overdrive. This is because copper impacts the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Dopamine, our “feel good” hormone, gets reduced while the body increases norepinephrine, the body’s excitatory neurotransmitter. As a result, the brain and body become primed for being in a chronic state of “fight or flight,” which can cause a lot of wear and tear on the body, especially to adrenal and thyroid health.

Copper & Estrogen

Women are particularly susceptible for copper overload due to the relationship between copper and estrogen. Estrogen increases copper retention in the body, particularly under the circumstances of estrogen dominance and/or the use of birth control pills, copper IUDs, hormone replacement therapy, and pregnancy. Symptoms and conditions associated with copper overload in women include the onset of depression at puberty, pregnancy or menopause, severe anxiety, fibroids, endometriosis, painful/irregular menstrual cycles, adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia, intolerance to birth control pills, episodes of rage, and sleep disorders.

Postpartum Depression

During pregnancy, there are changes in both copper metabolism and balance to allow for the transfer of significant amounts of copper from the mother to fetus. In fact, copper levels more than double during gestation to stimulate the development of new blood vessels for the formation of the baby’s heart, skeletal and nervous systems. Normally, copper and estrogen levels begin to drop within 24 hours after delivery. However, if copper levels do not return to normal, then mood regulating neurotransmitters are impacted and postpartum depression/psychosis can result. And, if copper levels are not addressed, each subsequent pregnancy can result in more and more copper toxicity, and worsening symptoms. Women with a history of postpartum depression tend to have very high levels of copper in their blood, according to this study.

Cancer

Copper toxicity/abnormal copper metabolism is involved in cancer metastasis through its role in angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a key characteristic in cancer formation and metastasis, which links the cancer tissue to the host’s blood supply. Highly vascularized tumors require copper as a core nutrient for tumor growth. Addressing high copper levels may be an important therapeutic strategy for cancer patients.

Identifying & Correcting Copper Overload

Lab testing, such as our Brain Chemistry Panel, can help to accurately identify a copper/zinc imbalance. Taking targeted nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B6, P5P, as well as antioxidants selenium, and vitamins C & E can help to normalize copper and zinc levels and protect against oxidative stress. Major improvements can be seen in a wide variety of mental health conditions using nutrient therapy. However, it is very important to work with an experienced nutrition professional who is skilled in creating customized therapeutic nutrient plans for mental well-being.

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