Skip to content
Dr. Grey AI

Supplement

Copper

Copper is an essential mineral that helps enzymes handle iron, build connective tissue and make the pigment melanin. People with celiac disease can run low, which is why it draws attention there, though the evidence for that use is limited. The strongest research came from copper deficiency, where blood copper and ceruloplasmin levels went up.

Best evidence
Grade A
Conditions studied
9
Outcomes
16
Graded outcomes
2851

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

9 conditions

Copper Deficiency

Copper Deficiency: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Serum Copper Levels

Large Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect500 people
Ceruloplasmin Levels

Large Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect400 people

Antioxidant Status

Antioxidant Status: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
SOD Activity

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect450 people
Oxidative Stress Markers

Moderate Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect320 people

Immune Function

  • Neutrophil Function: improves
  • Immune Cell Counts: improves
Immune Function: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Neutrophil Function

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect200 people
Immune Cell Counts

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect180 people

Bone Health

  • Bone Mineral Density: improves
  • Bone Turnover Markers: improves
Bone Health: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bone Mineral Density

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect280 people
Bone Turnover Markers

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect150 people

Iron Metabolism

  • Hemoglobin Levels: improves
  • Serum Iron: improves
Iron Metabolism: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Hemoglobin Levels

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect250 people
Serum Iron

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect200 people

Wound Healing

  • Wound Closure Rate: improves
  • Collagen Synthesis: improves
Wound Healing: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Wound Closure Rate

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect160 people
Collagen Synthesis

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect100 people

Cardiovascular Health

  • LDL Oxidation: improves
  • Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
LDL Oxidation

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect120 people
Blood Pressure

No Effect

NoneNo effect180 people

Neurological Function

  • Dopamine Metabolism: improves
Neurological Function: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Dopamine Metabolism

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect80 people

Skin Health

  • Skin Elasticity: improves
Skin Health: outcomes studied for Copper
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Skin Elasticity

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect120 people

Key findings

  • Serum Copper LevelsCopper DeficiencyImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Ceruloplasmin LevelsCopper DeficiencyImproves (the measure goes up)
  • SOD ActivityAntioxidant StatusImproves (the measure goes up)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Fullscript collectionSkin: evidence-graded picksOpen on Fullscript

Or shop one supplement

Third-party tested Copper products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade A

We earn from purchases made in our Fullscript store, and links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Full disclosure

Studies cited

10 studies from PubMed

  1. Copper and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic ReviewAdv Nutr, 2018 · PMID 29685187
  2. The Role of Copper in Bone Health: A ReviewJ Trace Elem Med Biol, 2018 · PMID 30125871
  3. Dietary Copper and Health: A Review of EvidenceOpen Heart, 2018 · PMID 30274599
  4. Copper and Angiogenesis: Implications for Wound HealingWound Repair Regen, 2018 · PMID 29709523
  5. Copper in Human Health: A Review of Essentiality and ToxicityJ Trace Elem Med Biol, 2017 · PMID 28378820
  6. Copper and Immunity: A Comprehensive ReviewBr J Nutr, 2017 · PMID 28954198
  7. Copper and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Evidence and MechanismsJ Alzheimers Dis, 2017 · PMID 29136641
  8. Copper Status Assessment: Methods and Clinical ApplicationsBr J Nutr, 2017 · PMID 28556916
  9. Copper Deficiency: Causes and Clinical ManifestationsAdv Nutr, 2016 · PMID 27151610
  10. Recommended Dietary Allowances for Copper: Evidence ReviewAm J Clin Nutr, 2016 · PMID 27553611

Protocols that include Copper