› Copper deficiency
Hypocupremia is the medical term for low copper levels or copper deficiency. Copper is a trace element, essential for many of the body activities, and the body needs it in small amounts. Two-thirds of copper in the body is in the bone tissue, and the rest is concentrated in organs with high activity including the brain, liver, kidney, and heart. Copper is a cofactor, which means it contributes to enzyme activity in metabolic reactions, and these enzymes cannot work without copper. There are at least 12 enzymes that require copper to works properly. These enzymes are called cuproenzymes. Ancient Egyptians used copper to cover the wound as they believed to stimulate and speed up wound healing.
As a cofactor, copper is responsible for a lot of different body functions, such as fetal development, collagen stabilisation, and connective tissue formation. It is essential for different system functions like the nervous system, circulatory system, and bone health. Copper deficiency is a rare condition, which is why we should increase our knowledge about this mineral, as its symptoms may be easily overlooked.
› Copper benefits
Copper is an essential mineral and a cofactor for many of the body metabolism, especially the nervous system and the heart.
Here are some copper benefits:
1. Maintains skin and hair health
For the skin, it improves the appearance of dry skin, speeds up the healing process of wounds, fights acne and reduces the signs of premature aging. Copper improves acne, reduces wrinkles and pigmentation, and boosts collagen and hydration.
For the hair, it helps repair and builds tissues as a part of its antioxidant properties. It stimulates the growth and blood circulation in the scalp and promotes restoration of damaged hair follicles, which results in healthy hair and reduces the rate of split ends, dandruff, and hair loss.
