Holistic Health Supplements Print The Health Benefits of Copper Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions Medically reviewed by facebook linkedin Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD on January 15, 2019 Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. He is Verywell's Senior Medical Advisor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Richard N. Fogoros, MD Written by facebook linkedin Written by Lana Barhum Lana Barhum has been a freelance medical writer for over 10 years. She shares advice on living well with chronic disease. Learn about our editorial policy Lana Barhum Updated on July 26, 2019 More in Holistic Health Supplements Herbal Medicine Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Massage Therapy In This Article Table of Contents Expand Health Benefits Possible Side Effects Dosage and Preparation What to Look For Other Questions View All Back To Top There are many health benefits of copper. It is an essential element for bone strength, heart health, immune health and much more. Copper deficiency can lead to iron deficiency and problems with nervous and immune system functions. Too much or too little copper can affect how brain functions work and have been linked to neurological diseases and Wilson’s disease (a condition in which too much copper forms in the organs). Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell What Is Wilson's Disease? Health Benefits Copper plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body and has a variety of health benefits. Anti-Inflammatory Properties Studies on animals have suggested that maintaining copper levels in the body may delay or even prevent arthritis. This is why some people wear copper gloves, bracelets, and other accessories made of copper. However, studies conducted in volunteers with arthritis have shown no benefit from wearing copper jewelry. Antioxidant Properties Research studies have found that copper has antioxidant properties. Since copper contains antioxidants, it may reduce the production of free radicals. Free radicals are known for damaging cells and causing diseases, especially cancer. Improves Cardiovascular Health There has been evidence linking high blood pressure and cholesterol to low levels of copper. One study published in the European Heart Journal suggests some patients with heart failure can benefit from adding copper supplements to their diets. Other studies in animals have found a connection between low copper and cardiovascular disease. However, it unknown whether low copper has the same effect on humans. Boosts Immune Health Cooper deficiency and low copper intake have been shown to reduce the number of white blood cells in the body, causing a condition called neutropenia. Having a low white blood cell count can make a person more vulnerable to infection. Maintaining copper levels in the body may help with the production and support of white blood cells and in keeping the body healthy. Protects Bone Density Severe copper deficiency has been linked to a greater risk of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and decreases in bone density. Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones and makes them susceptible to fractures. Osteopenia causes bone mineral density to be lower than it should be, and it is considered a precursor to osteoporosis. More research needs to be done to determine whether low levels of copper alone may affect bone health and if copper supplements may actually prevent osteoporosis and manage its effects. Assists in Collagen Production Since copper has antioxidant properties, researchers think it may help prevent skin aging. Sufficient levels of copper help the body to replace damaged connective tissues and the collagen needed to hold bones together. (Collagen is the main structural competent in the space between the connective tissues and bones.) Insufficient collagen levels may lead to joint dysfunction and the breakdown of connective tissues. Promotes Brain Health Copper is involved in neurological processes and growth, and it is important for cognitive function. But too much copper can be negative, causing cognitive decline. Researchers from Berkeley recently found that when high amounts of copper enter cells, neuron signaling is reduced—when copper levels fell, signals resumed correctly. Possible Side Effects Copper supplements may interact with certain medications and cause an imbalance of either reduced levels or increased levels. Some medications may interact adversely with copper. These include: Hormone therapies and birth control pillsNon-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofenAllopurinol, a gout medicationPenicillamine, a medication used to reduce copper levels in people with Wilson's diseaseZinc supplementsMedications for treating gastric ulcers and gastric reflux disease Copper toxicity is rare but can be identified by several symptoms. Symptoms of Copper Toxicity Gastrointestinal effects (stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)HeadacheDizzinessWeaknessMetallic taste in the mouth More serious symptoms of copper toxicity may include: CirrhosisJaundiceHeart problemsRed blood cell abnormalities Dosage and Preparation The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Dietary Guidelines recommend around 900 micrograms (mcg) of copper daily for most adults and children. Anything more can be toxic. In the United States and most developed countries, copper deficiency and toxicity are both rare. What to Look For Most people can get all the copper they need simply from their diets. Good dietary sources of copper come from foods such as: Shellfish (clams, oyster, lobsters, crab, shrimp)Whole grainsDark leafy greensDried fruitOrgan meats, such as liver and kidneysNuts, including cashews and almonds Other Questions Should I take a copper supplement? While supplements can be an option to put needed copper into the body, the best method is to try to get copper through food sources—this reduces the risk of imbalances and toxicity. Due to the rarity of copper deficiency, doctors rarely prescribe copper supplements. Most multivitamins contain less than 2 milligrams (mg) of copper, which is considered a safe dose. Speak with your doctor before taking any copper supplements. Could there be side effects or risks of consuming dietary copper? There are no risks or side effects reported with dietary consumption of copper. The only time a person would experience a problem would be due to excessive levels of copper in drinking water, exposure to high levels of copper through chemicals, or excessive use of supplements. A Word From Verywell Copper deficiency in the United States and most developed countries is rare, especially when a person follows a balanced diet. In fact, most people can get all the copper they need through diet. If a person’s copper levels are low, a doctor can recommend a copper supplement and/or look for any underlying conditions. Anyone thinking about a copper supplement should first check with a doctor. Using Copper Hands Gloves to Help With Arthritis Pain Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fusco D., Colloca G, Lo Monaco, MR, et al. Effects of antioxidant supplementation on the aging process. Clin Interv Aging. 2007 Sep; 2(3): 377–387. Hatori Y, Lutsen S. An Expanding Range of Functions for the Copper Chaperone/Antioxidant Protein Atox1. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2013 Sep 20; 19(9): 945–957. DOI: 10.1089/ars.2012.5086 Klevay LM. Heart failure improvement from a supplement containing copper, European Heart Journal (2006). 27(1): 117. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehi634 Lazarchick J. Update on anemia and neutropenia in copper deficiency. Curr Opin Hematol. 2012 Jan; 19(1):58-60. DOI: 10.1097/MOH.0b013e32834da9d2 Medline Plus. Copper in Diet. Richmond SJ, Gunadasa S, Bland M, MacPherson H. Copper Bracelets and Magnetic Wrist Straps for Rheumatoid Arthritis – Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Crossover Trial. PLOS ONE. 2013. 8(9): e71529. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071529 Roshan-Mahdavi M, Ebrahimi M., Ebrahimi A. Copper, magnesium, zinc and calcium status in osteopenic and osteoporotic post-menopausal women. Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab. 2015 Jan-Apr; 12(1): 18–21. DOI: 10.11138/ccmbm/2015.12.1.018 Sheigber IF, Mercer JFB, Dringen R. Metabolism and functions of copper in brain. Progress in Neurobiology. 2014. 116: 33-57. DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.01.002 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. Continue Reading