Copper
Can Lead To Ailments
Copper is a heavy metal
and an essential nutrient to all plants, animals and humans. Typically
used as a heat and electrical conductor, it is also used as a building
material and as an ingredient to various metal alloys. When it comes
to animals and humans, copper is found mostly in the bloodstream
as a chemical compound in enzymes and pigments. Copper is essential
to the body’s wellbeing, but in large amounts copper could
become deadly to plants, animals and humans.
Cooper occurs naturally as an un-compounded mineral. It is thought
that mankind’s use of copper dates back as far as 10,000 years
ago. Evidence of copper has been found in the Middle East as well
as Central America, West Africa and Europe. One of the most well-known
landmarks in the United States, The Statue of Liberty, is made of
copper. As a nutrient, copper can be found in enzymes. Foods like
Brazil nuts, beef liver, lamb liver, oysters, lobster, sunflower
seeds and avocadoes are rich sources of copper. If the body doesn’t
receive its necessary copper intake it can lead to copper deficiency
and an anemia-type illness. A lack of copper in humans can eventually
lead to fatty liver disease, depression and more.
Still if a person consumes too much copper, it could lead to more
ailments. It is thought that a copper toxicity can occur if acid
food is cooked in copper cookware. Copper toxicity can cause cirrhosis
of the liver in children. If someone has copper poisoning, they
will begin having a feeling of numbness on their hands and feet,
they will have an abnormal heart beat, and they will experience
nausea and vomiting, among other things.
If you suspect you may have copper poisoning, consult a physician.
Typically a procedure called chelation is administered to treat
people with toxic heavy metal poisoning.
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