What is the Sufficient Amount of Copper You Need?
The required and recommended daily allowance of copper is 900 micrograms a day for adolescents and adults. It is important to not exceed this requirement as it can be harmful to the body. The upper limit for adults aged 19 and above is 10,000 mcg, or 10 milligrams (mg) a day. An intake above this level can be toxic.
Copper Deficiency
Although copper deficiency is rare, some health conditions and other factors can increase the risk. Some of these factors include:
- Absorption problem
- Genetic defect of copper metabolism
- Too much intake of zinc or vitamin C supplement
- Other health conditions, such as myelopathy, [6] central nervous system (CNS), and inflammation of the optic nerve.
Copper is stored in the liver. So, copper deficiency develops slowly.
Zinc and Vitamin C
You should be mindful of the amount of zinc and vitamin supplement you consume. A high intake of zinc (150mg a day) and vitamin C (1500 mg a day) may induce copper deficiency. This is because there is a competition with copper for absorption in the intestine.