While www.coppertoxic.com provides the Internet's most comprehensive resource for understanding the copper connection, this page provides answers-at-a-glance to how copper affects some common symptoms.
As copper builds up, it has a stimulating effect on the brain (and adrenals), giving one a sense of increased energy. In fact, copper has an initial effect similar to d-amphetamine. However, as the person takes on more and more, this constant overstimulation eventually 'wears down' adrenal function over time. Eventually fatigue and e
As copper builds up, it has a stimulating effect on the brain (and adrenals), giving one a sense of increased energy. In fact, copper has an initial effect similar to d-amphetamine. However, as the person takes on more and more, this constant overstimulation eventually 'wears down' adrenal function over time. Eventually fatigue and exhaustion set it. As well, the increase in copper accumulation causes a corresponding increase of tissue calcification along with loss of cellular potassium. [Incidentally, this is why HTMA is so important, since these imbalances rarely show up in blood testing]. This mineral imbalance is going to impact the thyroid, leading to effects of hypothyroid (even if circulating hormone levels appear fine). The thyroid and adrenal glands are responsible for supplying the body with 98% of its energy, and so a trend toward hypo-functioning of these glands will most certainly impact energy over time, increasing the tendency for fatigue and exhaustion.
There are many pathways that link excess copper accumulation to depression. Importantly:
There are many pathways that link excess copper accumulation to depression. Importantly:
Similar to copper's role in depression, the drop in dopamine and rise in norepinephrine is strongly related to anxiety. Copper has an impairing effect on serotonin, and serotonin is a calming neurotranmittor that helps to control anxiety. Excess copper also inhibits the conversion of glutamate into glutamine and GABA, resulting in high
Similar to copper's role in depression, the drop in dopamine and rise in norepinephrine is strongly related to anxiety. Copper has an impairing effect on serotonin, and serotonin is a calming neurotranmittor that helps to control anxiety. Excess copper also inhibits the conversion of glutamate into glutamine and GABA, resulting in high glutamate levels. This in turn further contributes to anxiety (and other reactions such as increasing irritability). Magnesium tends to have a sedative effect on the central nervous system, and so low levels of magnesium can cause a more stimulated CNS and in turn a heightened state of anxiety...excess copper lowers cellular magnesium. Also to be considered, especially during the mobilization of copper as it enters the bloodstream, as well as with hypoglycemia, is that the body increases adrenaline...and adrenaline is an anxiety and panic hormone, potentially amplifying these reactions.
Sexually the copper toxic person is not only mentally, but also biologically forced to withdraw when burnout occurs - the body is trying to preserve its energy and so the sex hormones, being not as critical, are put on the back burner. It can seem to the patient that they no longer desire their partner, not understanding that this feelin
Sexually the copper toxic person is not only mentally, but also biologically forced to withdraw when burnout occurs - the body is trying to preserve its energy and so the sex hormones, being not as critical, are put on the back burner. It can seem to the patient that they no longer desire their partner, not understanding that this feeling is simply a survival mechanism and not their true self. The closer and more intense the relationship, and the more intense the copper-induced burnout, often the more intense the opposing negative withdrawal reaction is toward their partner. If a calcium shell is also present, the emotional numbing will be amplified, further "justifying" their lack of desire.
As so many factors come together that affect relationships, almost too many to summarize briefly here, it would be recommended to carefully read through https://coppertoxic.com/emotions to fully understand the implications excess copper has on relationships. In brief though, the increasing fatigue and burnout, along with the lowering of
As so many factors come together that affect relationships, almost too many to summarize briefly here, it would be recommended to carefully read through https://coppertoxic.com/emotions to fully understand the implications excess copper has on relationships. In brief though, the increasing fatigue and burnout, along with the lowering of dopamine, oxytoxin and serotonin, can all erase romantic feelings.
"Apathy replaces joy, and life becomes boring. People start wondering if they really are meant for each other. They wonder what happened to the original feelings that got them together. Fatigue and exhaustion can do all of this and more. It can help destroy a marriage that should have lasted forever."
~ Colin and Loren Chatsworth, with Dr. Paul Eck
Zinc deficiency can lead to cell death in the hippocampus where meaningful memories are stored, affecting memory of the 'good times'. The calcium shell has a further numbing effect on the emotions and awareness, leading to emotional deadness.
"I would venture to say that divorce courts are loaded with people who's relationships were destroyed by copper toxicity. Because the role of copper toxicity impacting the emotions, thought processes and behaviors is not understood, it leads to a lot of animosity and anger and resentment, and revenge - that ultimately winds up destroying the relationship." ~ Dr. Rick Malter, Ph.D.
Intimate emotional recognition can become significantly impaired.
"Women with OC (oral contraceptive) use were less accurate in emotion recognition than women without OC use. The ability to recognize others’ emotional expressions is essential for the initiation and maintenance of interpersonal relationships, in particular intimate ones" (Schmidt and Cohn, 2001).
Many powerful stories are shared at: https://coppertoxic.com/cases%2Fstories
Like most of what is promoted about copper, there are two sides to the coin, one side of which is rarely brought to light. Most articles talk about all the benefits of copper, not educating that most of these benefits reverse when high levels of bio-unavailable copper (toxicity) accumulate. Most sexual health, nutrition, and parenthood
Like most of what is promoted about copper, there are two sides to the coin, one side of which is rarely brought to light. Most articles talk about all the benefits of copper, not educating that most of these benefits reverse when high levels of bio-unavailable copper (toxicity) accumulate. Most sexual health, nutrition, and parenthood websites claim that copper (and/or the IUD) does not contribute to weight gain. However, there is a lot of empirical evidence showing many women on the copper IUD struggling with unexplainable weight gain. While the mechanism for this may not be fully understood, two possible theories could include the estrogenic effect of copper toxicity (with weight gain being a recognized symptom of estrogen dominance), as well as the hypoythyroid effect of copper on the broader mineral system (as discussed next).
"One common effect of supplementing copper is weight gain - as much as 5% or more, which is also possible when absorbing extra copper from non-dietary sources such as copper bracelets or copper IUDs. So unless gaining weight is a welcome benefit, or a reliable test indicates insufficient levels, most people should avoid mineral formulations containing either iron (which also causes weight gain), or more than 0.5 mg of copper." http://www.acu-cell.com/crcu.htmlGive customers a reason to do business with you.
Excess copper blocks the conversion of thyroxine (T4) into triiodothyronine (T3...the active form of thyroid hormone). This can often be easily seen in the HTMA with high tissue calcium (blocking cellular absorption of nutrients and hormone) and low cellular potassium (impairing mitochondrial sensitivity to thyroid hormone). Most people
Excess copper blocks the conversion of thyroxine (T4) into triiodothyronine (T3...the active form of thyroid hormone). This can often be easily seen in the HTMA with high tissue calcium (blocking cellular absorption of nutrients and hormone) and low cellular potassium (impairing mitochondrial sensitivity to thyroid hormone). Most people are not diagnosed as hypothyroid because their circulating blood thyroid markers are within range. However, this 'cellular hypothyroidism' is quite common and helps explain why so many women have many of the typical signs of hypothyroid even though they are diagnosed as 'fine'. In properly addressing hypothyroidism, we have to stop ignoring copper's effect on the mineral system, especially calcium and potassium.
Copper toxic individuals very often will also have gut concerns, including candida and yeast, low HCl, poor nutrient absorption, gluten sensitivity, even leaky gut. One of copper's roles is that of an anti-fungal, and when in balance, helps to control fungi and yeast / candida in the gut. However, with toxic levels of copper, much of th
Copper toxic individuals very often will also have gut concerns, including candida and yeast, low HCl, poor nutrient absorption, gluten sensitivity, even leaky gut. One of copper's roles is that of an anti-fungal, and when in balance, helps to control fungi and yeast / candida in the gut. However, with toxic levels of copper, much of this copper is in a bio-unavailable form stored in tissues, and is not serving it's role in controlling the candida / yeast, or other parasites. This, along with the anaerobic GI environment that's created, allows candida, fungi, yeast, parasites and bacteria to flourish. Meanwhile, by way of lowering zinc, excess copper also reduces hydrochloric acid production. When hydrochloric acid (HCl) is low, healthy gut flora are weakened and digestive enzyme function impaired.
Hypothyroidism and zinc deficiency are two common causes of hair loss (of course there can be other causes too). However, copper toxicity contributes to both of these potential causes - zinc deficiency and hypothyroid, even if sub-clinical.