You might suffer this common condition and not even know it
<p>Copper overload is surprisingly common yet not often identified. It can occur from many sources, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>An imbalance from vitamins and supplements</li>
<li>From being deficient in minerals such as zinc and manganese</li>
<li>From a vegetarian diet</li>
<li>From copper in food</li>
<li>Drinking water from copper pipes</li>
<li>Birth control pills</li>
<li>Copper IUDs</li>
</ul>
<p>It can also be passed onto children from a copper overloaded mother.</p>
<p><strong>What are the symptoms?</strong></p>
<p>You might feel anxious or depressed, have migraines, feel tired but can’t sleep as your mind is racing, bruise easily, have reproductive challenges, and seem to get every cough and cold going around.</p>
<p>In more severe cases it can trigger post natal depression, mental illness, paranoia and even schizophrenia. It can also affect your liver function.</p>
<p>Many of these symptoms would not be diagnosed by GPs as copper overload, but in fact it is a very common complaint – especially for women, as estrogen tends to cause copper to remain in the body.</p>
<p><strong>How is it detected?</strong></p>
<p>Many GPs would not go straight to testing for copper overload. While there are serious cases of copper overload such as Wilson’s disease, most sufferers fall into the more moderate level, which flies under the radar.</p>
<p>If you ask though, they can do blood and urine tests to see if you have an imbalance.</p>
<p>Another way is to do a hair mineral analysis. This still doesn’t always give a clear answer though, as the copper tends to be stored in the tissue rather than being released into the system for detection.</p>
<p>Another way to check for copper overload is to look at whether someone has a high copper to zinc ratio.</p>
<p>Ask your doctor if you are concerned that you have many of the symptoms described above, as it may be something that they had not considered.</p>
<p><strong>Next steps</strong></p>
<p>If you are discovered to have too much copper in your system, you will be prescribed treatment that comes in many forms.</p>
<p>Most likely you will be recommended to reduce stress, as the copper levels tend to rise in response to stressor. For instance you might try meditation or yoga, walking or it might even be suggested to change jobs if you work in a high stress environment.</p>
<p>Secondly many sufferers report feeling better after a change to their diet. There is copper and zinc in many foods, so avoiding copper-rich foods and increasing those high in zinc could help to get the balance right.</p>
<p>For example alcohol, sugar, and grains can reduce your much-needed zinc levels; while meat and poultry will be able to increase them. This explains why many vegetarians experience copper overload. A nutritionist can help guide you here once you have been diagnosed.</p>
<p>The third level of treatment is to find the right balance of vitamin and mineral supplements, depending on your level of copper overload.</p>
<p>Has someone you know been diagnosed with copper overload? We would love to hear your story in the comments.</p>
