Name of Essential Nutrient

Chemical formula/structure

- Cu

Natural Sources of this nutrient in foods

- Some sources of foods that copper may be found in are beef liver, oysters, cashews, pumpkin seeds, clams, sunflower seeds, prunes, salmon, beans, v-8 juice, tofu, black-eyed peas.

How it is used by the body

- Copper is needed for the formation of hemoglobin, which is needed to carry oxygen in red blood cells. With a proper amount of copper, it makes just the right amount of hemoglobin to keep your body healthy. To much or to little will hurt the body. Copper is necessary in the process of healing wounds. Copper can also help maintain a healthy nervous system as well as controlling the pigmentation of your hair.

Effects if this nutrient is not present

- If not enough copper is present, there is also a shortage of iron. This may lead to anemia, osteoporosis, thinning of bones, thyroid gland dysfunction, heart disease, likelihood of infections, or even nervous system problems. On the other hand, to much copper intake may lead to diarrhea, vomiting, liver damage, fatigue, irritability, and depression.

Sources

http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/factsheets/copper.html - for dietary sources

http://www.webmineral.com/data/Copper.shtml - for the chemical formula

http://www.oralchelation.com/technical/copper1.htm - to see how copper is used in the body

http://www.anyvitamins.com/copper-info.htm - to see copper effects if not present

http://www.jem.org/cgi/reprint/66/2/145 - to see how copper can help the body

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