Can Copper Protect The Nervous System?
The nervous system is a big part of the body. It helps your body feel and move. It also lets you know what is around you. The nervous system is made up of many cells and tissues. It helps the body do what it needs to do every day. It gets information from the world around us, understands it, and then tells our muscles and organs how to react.
There are two main parts in the nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) is the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all the other nerves in the body. The CNS is the main place that pays attention to what we feel and decide what to do. The PNS links the CNS to all other areas. It carries signals to and from the CNS.
These two systems help us feel and know what is around us. They allow us to move, think, keep the body working right, and keep things in balance. The nervous system also helps us react quickly, learn, remember things, and do many things each day. It is key for living well and getting through life.
How can nutrients help maintain nervous system health?
To keep the body in balance, you should watch your nutrient needs and handle stress from both the mind and body. The right nutrients are important. They help keep the body's shape and fix harm. B vitamins—like B12, B6, and B1—help nerves by supporting how the body makes brain messengers. They also help look after the myelin cover on nerve arms. Vitamin E works as a helper, saving nerve cells from damage that free bits can cause. Omega-3 fats, found in fish oils, help build and keep nerve cell layers. They also help calm swelling. Magnesium is key, too. It helps nerve signals move right and can help calm nerves that get too quick. Calcium is needed so nerves can pass signals. Folate (vitamin B9) helps nerves grow and fix, too. On top of that, protein gives the body the needed parts to build more brain messengers and help nerves heal.
Why is copper essential for the nervous system?
Did you know that copper is very important too?
Copper is a trace mineral the body needs to make the nervous system work well. It helps to build and keep myelin healthy. Myelin is the cover that wraps around nerve cells and helps signals move fast and smooth between them. If there is not enough myelin, messages in the nerves can go slow or get messed up. This can cause problems like weakness, numbness, or troubles with moving and balance. Copper also works as a helper for several enzymes. One important enzyme is cytochrome c oxidase, and it helps cells make energy. Nerve cells need a lot of energy to do what they do, so copper helps keep nerves working right.
Besides making energy, copper also helps the body make brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that help control your mood, how well you can focus, and how you think. If the body does not get enough copper, these chemicals can get out of balance. This can cause low moods, trouble remembering, or even other nerve problems. Copper also helps protect nerves. It does this by supporting enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD). SOD helps guard nerve cells from things that can harm them, like free radicals and other cell stress. Too much of this cell stress can hurt the brain and is known to play a part in diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Having the right amount of copper can help lower the risk of these problems
How would you know if you have low copper?
How can you tell if you have low copper levels? You might notice numbness or tingling in your hands and feet. These feelings can get worse over time. Later, you can start having weak muscles, feel unsteady, or have trouble walking. These are a lot like what happens with vitamin B12 problems, because copper helps your spinal cord and nerve covering stay healthy. If it gets worse, you could have lasting trouble getting around because the spinal cord gets damaged.
You might also have memory problems, can’t focus well, or feel more cranky or sad. A drop in copper can cause these changes.
There is more than just nerve trouble. A lack of copper often leads to low red blood cells that don’t get better when you take iron. Copper is needed to move iron through your body and to make red blood cells. People may feel tired, look pale, and get short of breath when their blood can’t move enough oxygen. A weak system that protects your body can also show up, so you catch more sickness from germs. Other signs you may see if you have low copper are weak bones, feel cold often, or get early gray in your hair.
What is the best way to check copper deficiency?
The best way to know if you do not have enough copper in your body is to get a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) with us. Or, if you want to start taking something for copper right now, look at our Upgraded Copper here!