What is it?
It starts by understanding that prior to this day and age, Earth's atmosphere was a reducing atmosphere in which oxidation (or rusting) was prevented by natural mechanisms that remove oxygen, the primary one being iron oxides in the land and the oceans. Over a billion years ago, this caused the Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) which caused 99 percent of species to die out.
The thing to know is that Copper saved the day by enabling life to continue because of it's unique ability to turn one molecule of oxygen into two molecules of water without producing any oxidative exhaust. Today, the Earth's atmosphere is composed of nearly 21 percent oxygen which makes Copper essential as all life on this planet must have Copper to survive.
This translates into the need for us to take in a sufficient amount of Cooper to mobilise and circulate the iron in our body so that it can carry oxygen to our organs, tissues, cells and the microchondria that produces energy. Without Copper, iron becomes immobilised and stuck in the tissues which causes a rise in oxidative stress from failed energy production and failed oxidant elimination.
What does it do?
Copper is an essential trace mineral required for the body to utilise iron effectively for energy. Copper-dependent enzymes such as ceruloplasmin are essential for oxidising and transporting iron so it can be used to form hemoglobin, carry oxygen and generate cellular energy.
When naturally working in the body, Copper is the only element that works with oxygen cleanly to prevent oxygen from 'rusting out' our cells, tissues and organs. Copper is the only element that regulates iron's status. When oxygen cannot be activated by Copper in our mitochondria to make water and to release energy molecules, it results in oxidative stress. This leads to brain fog, fatigue, frequent illness, premature aging, joint and muscle pain and poor skin health.
Another important factor is that cholesterol (which is not a toxin, a disease product nor the cause of disease) acts as a governor to regulate how much oxygen passes through the cell membranes into the cells. The less bio-available Copper you have inside you, the more your body will produce oxidative stress which will then cause an increase in cholesterol levels for this very reason.
Rising oxidative stress will in fact 'rust' the cholesterol which means it was never the level of cholesterol that caused health problems, it was always about the amount of iron. Put very simply, iron in our body needs to be mobilised and circulating so that it can carry oxygen to all your organs, tissues, cells and cultimately to the mitochondria to be turned into energy.
How is it used?
Despite scientific debunking, traditional and natural health communities continue to associate Copper jewellry with several benefits, including the easing of joint discomfort and muscle soreness, boosting blood circulation and promoting energy balance, grounding and overall well-being. The same can be said by those who store and drink their filtered water in Copper containers and water bottles.
In Āyurveda , the ancient Indian science of life, Copper (Tamra) holds paramount status, not just for its practical durability, but for its specific energetic and medicinal properties. Ayurveda teaches us that drinking water stored in Copper vessels helps balance the body’s three doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
- Vata Dosha (Air and Space): Copper water is warm and stable. It can help calm Vata’s restless energy. If you often feel cold or have dry skin, drinking Copper water might help.
- Pitta Dosha (Fire and Water): Copper has a cooling effect. It can help people with Pitta dosha, who often feel too much heat. Copper water on hot days helps cool us down.
- Kapha Dosha (Earth and Water): Copper water is stimulating. It can reduce Kapha’s heaviness and laziness. If you feel low on energy, copper water might give you a gentle boost.
Copper is the third-most abundant trace mineral in the body which is used frequently and cannot be stored in sufficient amounts. For that reason, it must be obtained from food sources (certain vegetables, whole grains, wild fish and seafood, oyster, liver, seeds and nuts) or from a quality, absorbable Copper supplement (see below).
Where can I get it?
Having read the most excellent book, Cure Your Fatigue by Morley M Robbins (see below), I now take a quarter of spoon of Copper Sulphate solution every morning. It is prepared from a pure elemental source that contains CHD-Fulvic Acid to enhance absorption and overall well-being and can be purchased from Longeivity Essentials (no affiliation) who provide quality supplements and information you can rely on.
While Copper is an essential trace mineral needed to maintain good health, this is only one of several minerals and other natural supplements such as Magnesium and Vitimin B Complex, natural Sea Salt, Iodine (coming soon) and others that should also be included.
Cure Your Fatigue includes a complete protocol for bringing your body back to full health with what he calls STOPS and STARTS. He provides a sugested guide or roadmap for introducing new healthy elements in a safe and effective way while at the same time removing certain foods, products and unhealthy influences to enable the body to heal, function and maintain itself effectively. This is guided by what the body needs at any given time which can be deduced from any symptoms or conditions being experienced. The key is to take it slowly and to monitor your progress.
Further information
Buy the book
[Cu]re Your Fatigue by Morley M Robbin
Everyday Ayurveda - Daily Habits That Can Change Your Life
by Bhaswati Bhattacharya
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Read a review
[Cu]re Your Fatigue by Morley M Robbin
Everyday Ayurveda by Bhaswati Bhattacharya
Further reading
Copper Has Key Role In Healthy Hearts by Copper Development Association Inc
Copper-bearing enzymes play a key role in the proper functioning of the heart and in defending against oxidative damage.
Dr. Leslie Klevay, Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Centre, North Dakota
