• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Joy of Wellness

Living better and longer, Natural Health

Main navigation

The Joy of Wellness

What? Would you like to find?
Browse by categories
  • Weight Loss
  • Health and Beauty
  • Diets and Nutrition
  • Natural Remedies
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Life in Fullness
  • The Joy of Wellness from A to Z
  • All topics

Copper: Properties and Wonders for Health and Beauty

  • Dietary Iodine
  • Rosehip's benefits and properties for skin

Published: 09/19/2014 - Updated: 03/08/2020

Author: Dra. Loredana Lunadei, PhD

Copper is a shiny, orange-red metal which, together with silver and gold, form part of what is known as the copper family.  This metal is characterized by being one of the best conductors of electricity, after silver.  It was one of the first metals used by prehistoric humans.  Followed by iron and aluminum, it is the third most used metal in the world.  It plays an important biological role in the photosynthesis process of plants, although it does not form part of chlorophyll’s composition.

home interiorFor humans, copper is an element that has important properties and functions in the body and for health.

Contents

  • Copper:
  • Where is copper found?
  • What percentage of copper does the body need?
  • What causes a deficiency or excess of copper?
  • Copper’s cosmetic and beauty applications

Copper:

  • Contributes to the formation of red blood cells and maintenance of blood vessels, the immune system, the nervous system, and the bone system (bones, tendons, etc.)  It is an essential trace element for human life.
  • This metal is an essential ingredient in the enzyme that makes hemoglobin, which makes copper a preventative for anemia (which is why it is frequently called iron’s “twin”).
  • Copper is beauty’s newest partner, as it has been proven to have benefits and properties that are capable of reducing expression lines and minimizing marks on the skin, so it can be a great help in acne and dermatitis cases.
  • A few studies have proven that it participates in healing, as it has antibiotic and antimicrobial effects.  With the use of socks and clothing made with this metal, it was proven that it not only promoted the disappearance of these conditions, but also improved the looks of skin.
  • Using pillowcases and sheets can help fight skin conditions like acne, blackheads infections, etc.

Where is copper found?

Copper can be found in a large amount of common foods, like these mentioned bellow:

  • Seafood: lobsters, oysters, fish, seaweed, seafood cocktails, salmon, tuna, etc.
  • Legumes and vegetables (beans, lentils, sprouts, lettuce, tomatoes, beets, alfalfa, carrots, radish, etc.)
  • Pepper
  • Coco (chocolate)
  • Beans
  • Seeds (sunflower, linseed, pumpkin, sesame, etc.)
  • Whole wheat (and some whole grains that retain all their natural fiber, like oats, barley, rye, etc.)
  • Dried fruits (apples, guava, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, bananas, mangoes, etc.)
  • Visceras
  • Nuts
  • Potable water
  • Air (we breath small amounts of copper during the day)

What percentage of copper does the body need?

Between 2 or 3 milligrams a day.  Half this dosage is for children.

What causes a deficiency or excess of copper?

Because it is abundant in a lot of foods, a copper deficiency is rare in the body.  However, when copper levels are low, it can cause a liver disease known as Wilson’s disease.  Also, because it is a immunological generator, a slight deficiency impedes T cells from fulfilling their functions at maximum capacity.  T cells are vital elements that notify the immune system when to be active and when to rest.  When they grow weak, the immune system weakens, and exposes the body to a larger risk of contagion and infections.  Copper is also related to a substance called interleukin-2, which is a chemical messenger crucial to the immune system.  An copper deficiency could also cause anemia, and all other illnesses that this may cause.

Copper absorption is necessary for human health, and even though the body can tolerate high copper concentrations, an excess could cause health problems.

Copper’s cosmetic and beauty applications

This reddish, malleable, soft metal, that is a quality conductor, is currently used to make beauty products like makeup brushes, gloves, eye masks for sleeping, and even sheets, because it has been discovered that frequent use helps improve skin quality.

The sheets idea was Jeffrey Gabbay’s, a business owner that wanted to create a fabric that mites could not develop nor survive, since his son suffered from asthma.  “After several tests, he found that copper was able to kill these microbes”.  The use of these special sheets reduced his son’s symptoms considerably.  A lot of other health and beauty products were derived from this test.

  • The wonders of Tomatoes
    MORE IN THE JOY OF WELLNESS
    The wonders of Tomatoes

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

Loading...

About the author

By Dra. Loredana Lunadei, PhD

Dr. Lunadei is a specialist in dietetics, nutrition and healthy eating. She studied at the University of Milan where she obtained her degree and doctorate. This is her Linkedin.

Reader Interactions

You may also be interested

  • Walking Barefoot: benefits in Health and Beauty Walking Barefoot: benefits in Health and Beauty Walking barefoot is one of the most toning exercises for the body.  Just take a [...]
  • Honey from Plants and Medicinal Flowers: Properties and Benefits Honey from Plants and Medicinal Flowers: Properties and Benefits Nature has the most beautiful, nourishing and healthy way to sweeten our dishes, pastries and [...]
  • 60 Day Cleanse for Overweight Children 60 Day Cleanse for Overweight Children Child obesity should be taken care of and cured as soon as possible because being [...]

You are here: The Joy of Wellness » Health and Beauty » Copper: Properties and Wonders for Health and Beauty

All about Health and Beauty

  • Enzymes: the enzymatic power of fermented foods Enzymes: the enzymatic power of fermented foods (See part one by following this link: "Enzymes: the Secret Door to Youth".) In the first [...]
  • How to get Model Abs and Waist (part two) How to get Model Abs and Waist (part two) This is the second part of: How to get model abs and waist (part one) TUESDAY: [...]
  • Dry Body Brushing: Rejuvenate, Tighten, and Treat Varicose Veins Dry Body Brushing: Rejuvenate, Tighten, and Treat Varicose Veins Body Brushing away dry sin is one of the most ancient and effective beauty techniques [...]
  • Mononucleosis: Causes and Natural Treatment Mononucleosis: Causes and Natural Treatment Does your throat hurt more and more each day?  Are you tired or extremely fatigued? [...]
  • Laryngitis: Quick, natural and super effective cure Laryngitis: Quick, natural and super effective cure Is it hard for you to swallow?  Did you lose your voice?  Do you have [...]
Footer
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2023 · The Joy of Wellness
   
Disclaimer  About Us  Cookies Policy  Privacy Policy  Contact  Topics
The services, content and products on our website are for information purposes only. The Joy of Wellness does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment