Could a copper deficiency cause rheumatoid arthritis? A lack of this trace element in the bloodstream could very well be responsible for this condition.
Copper is essential for the proper functioning of the metabolic process, and without enough the body greatly suffers.
What is Copper?
Copper is a trace mineral that does a number of things for our body including the fighting of parasites and diseases, oxidation energetic metabolism and helping to improve the function of the brain and the liver.
Our bodies depend on the proper copper intake for essential functioning of the immune system.
Many studies prove that it takes as little as one week of time for our bodies to begin depleting due to inadequate amounts of copper.
The Relationship between Copper & Rheumatoid Arthritis
When copper deficiency occurs iron accumulates in the joints. A study at Kishore reported that the relationship between this deficiency and rheumatoid arthritis after animal studies were conducted.
These studies showed that the animals who were not given a diet high in copper had iron levels more than 400x what they should have been.
This is just one of many studies that has been conducted to show the relationship between Rheumatoid arthritis and copper deficiency.
Even more Copper Information
It may not just be in the foods that are being consumed. Reports show that in Europe the instances of rheumatoid arthritis are fewer than cases in the United States.
This is related to the use of copper antagonists found in foods, cooking utensils, etc.
although copper deficiency is not a primary cause of arthritis (even doctor are unsure what actually causes the condition) it can have a major impact on your body and can cause flare-ups when levels are not high enough.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is one type of this painful condition that causes the joints to inflame and swell. As you can imagine this is quite painful.
It occurs when the body’s disease defense system begins to attack itself. Again, it is believed that copper is one of the causes of this to happen.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are various. It is possible for the condition to come and go, which varies according to the level of the inflammation.
Sometimes the inflammation subsides enough for rheumatoid arthritis to go into remission, thus symptoms come and go.
Among the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that you may experience the most common are painful flare-ups, lack of appetite, fatigue, loss of energy, fever, aches and pains in the muscles and the joints, stiffness and pain. The condition usually inflames multiple joints at the same time, throughout the body.
Getting the Copper that you need
There is something that you can do about copper deficiency, and of course that means getting the required amounts of copper the body needs each day.
There are a number of ways in which you can get the required amount of copper daily, and this includes from the foods that you eat as well as medical devices and supplements.
Among the top food choices for copper:
- Cashews & Nuts
- Goat Cheese
These are just some of the many foods that can be added to your diet to improve the levels of copper in your body.
There are also many supplements that you can take that add the right amounts of copper to your body.
Various brand and levels of copper supplements are available to help you. Other ways of adding the copper to your body are there as well, including the use of a special medical device that adds copper levels.
Talk to a Doctor
While it is important to get the recommended amounts of copper in your body each day, this is not the only source of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Thus, talking to a doctor is a good idea. He can check your copper levels to determine whether or not it is a copper deficiency causing your woes.
The doctor can also help you determine the best ways to get the recommended copper amounts if it is found that you’re suffering from a deficiency.
The Bottom Line
Our body depends on a number of minerals and vitamins for proper functioning, and when it does not receive those, it attacks the body. This includes a lack of copper.
Rheumatoid arthritis, while not primarily caused by copper deficiency, is one of those conditions.
It is important that you do all that you can to keep yourself in the best of health