Copper Toxicity could be causing your mental illness symptoms
When I talk about my specific experience with copper toxicity, I am typically asked how one becomes copper toxic and what are the signs and types of treatment used. So below is an outline of copper and copper toxicity (also known as copper overload) with a more comprehensive explanation about this commonly misdiagnosed condition.
Isn’t copper good for me?
In my book, I Cu Copper I describe copper as the good, the bad and the ugly. So let’s start there. Copper is an important trace mineral that helps support the body in many ways. Some of the main benefits or the good is it:
- helps form red blood cells and is critical for helping a fetus form the heart, blood vessels, skeletal and the nervous system.
- helps maintain healthy bones for the prevention of osteoporosis.
- helps form collagen and sustains elasticity of connective tissue and helps with cardiovascular function
- helps development and function of the central nervous system
- helps form cells and maintain a healthy immune response
- helps energy production in cells to avoid fatigue.
- helps regulate the synthesis of neurotransmitters that affect psychiatric symptoms.
What causes copper toxicity?
The bad copper is when it builds up and does not excrete or get utilized properly. Copper toxicity is often hereditary and occurs in the following ways:
- The body may have a dysregulation where it doesn’t produce enough of the binding proteins (the main one being ceruloplasmin) to take the copper where it needs to go.
- Estrogen can cause copper to retain and accumulate in the body. Estrogen dominant individuals tend to have too much copper and hormonal changes can be a trigger. Side note: It is also known that estrogen dominance is directly related to breast, ovarian and cervix cancer.
- Pregnancy increases copper levels. When copper doesn’t detox properly it can lead to psychosis especially with multiple births because the copper does not go back to normal post-birth and each pregnancy adds or layers on more copper.
- Environmental copper can overload the body. Some copper exposures or sources are:
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- Copper IUD’s, birth control pills, prenatal vitamins, hormone replacement drugs
- Some multivitamins
- Xeno-estrogen or chemicals that mimic estrogen found in plastics and petrochemicals
- Growth hormones fed to animals
- Fungicides and pesticides
- Copper pipes in the home and tap water
- Copper cookware
- Dental materials
- Hot tub and pool chemicals
- Plant-based diets and other high copper foods
- Zinc deficiency and other mineral imbalances
- Adrenal weakness (adrenal hormones help stimulate the liver to produce ceruloplasmin, a major copper-binding protein in the body)
- Stress (depletes the adrenal glands, lowers zinc levels and increases copper)
Once copper builds up and has nowhere to go, it accumulates in the liver, the brain and reproductive organs disrupting the glandular, reproductive and nervous system with devastating effects on physical on mental health. This copper is known as percent-free copper and elevated levels can be seen in the blood. It is unbound (not attached to a protein) and causes oxidative stress or damaging free radical activity. It is not the same as Wilson’s Disease, a life-threatening and rare genetic disorder where copper accumulates in the tissues of vital organs and glands.
What are the symptoms of copper toxicity?
Finally, there is the ugly copper when in excess it causes destruction. The buildup or accumulation of copper interferes with the function of hormones like thyroid and adrenal which robs energy causing chronic and adrenal fatigue. Excess copper also can create an imbalance in neurotransmitter activity by lowering dopamine levels and increasing norepinephrine creating a risk for postpartum depression and other mental health symptoms.
Copper being a stimulant enhances brain activity and can give a feeling that the mind is racing or high anxiety. This is because the brain uses electricity made with chemical molecules moving through the neurons’ membrane. So when you see a young child who appears hyper, impulsive or agitated he/she may be having trouble with concentration due to the stimulating effects of copper producing adrenaline surges. The same goes for adults who have feelings of anxiety and panic, overstimulation, racing thoughts, restlessness, and insomnia. Their nervous system is being revved into a state of overdrive or agitation. Simply stated, copper conducts nerve transmission, which is an electrical chemical process in the same way that copper is used in electrical wires to conduct electricity. Similarly, fibromyalgia occurs when nerves are being stimulated over and over, causing tenderness to over-stimulated muscles as the electricity of copper is zapping and tiring out the muscles.
Excess copper can deviate or short circuit a thought or emotion, resulting in depression, poor concentration, mood swings, brain fog, super-sensitivity, and other negative cognitive symptoms. Menstrual disorder, fibroids cysts, PMS and hormone imbalances are common because of the relation copper has to estrogen. Estrogen production from the normal monthly cycle as well as added outside sources of estrogen contribute to copper buildup. Males can have copper toxicity as well. Typically, the symptoms are impulsiveness, anger or violence. The manifestations from one family member to another may appear very different.
Due to copper’s supportive role to the systems of the body copper can impact many functions. Below is a list of some symptoms that could be a sign of copper toxicity:
| Severe PMS, PCOS, PMDD, Endometriosis | Increased Anger and Rage |
| Adverse effects to oral contraceptives | High Anxiety, Stress Intolerance |
| Postpartum Depression and related psychosis | Depression |
| Blood sugar dysregulation or sugar cravings | Bipolar Disorder |
| Adrenal and Chronic Fatigue | Paranoia or Paranoid Schizophrenia |
| Hypothyroidism | Panic Attacks |
| Estrogen intolerance | Racing Thoughts and Restlessness |
| Fibroid polyps and cysts | Spaciness or Numbed Emotions |
| Acne | Poor Concentration and Focus |
| Candida overgrowth or yeast toxicity | Insomnia |
| Seasonal Allergies, Asthma | Digestive Disorders |
| Skin sensitivities to rough fabrics, cheap metals | Migraines |
| Intolerance to chocolate or high copper foods | Fibromyalgia |
| Anemia | Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) |
| Hair loss | ADHD/ADD |
| SSRI’s drugs worsen anxiety | Autism |
Why haven’t I heard of copper toxicity and how is it treated?
Now that we have the answers to why copper can be good, bad and what symptoms create the ugly, let’s pursue why most doctors don’t test for copper toxicity and why it is common and yet not well-known.
The simplest answer to this is that doctors are not trained in nutritional supplementation in medical school. There is no known pharmaceutical to properly treat copper toxicity. Therefore, traditional doctors will not test for something they do not treat. What they will do is treat the symptoms rather than the cause. If you consult your doctor about mood-related symptoms of anxiety, depression or even fatigue your doctor is likely to dispense an antidepressant without doing any testing. Traditional doctors are unaware that psychiatric drugs like SSRI’s can make anxiety symptoms worse for high copper individuals.
This does not mean copper toxicity is not treatable. The first step is to find a doctor who is trained in biochemical imbalances because even some natural or holistic doctors are not familiar with copper imbalances. Doctors trained in biochemical imbalances are better equipped to ask the right questions during a history intake and order appropriate tests to identify the root cause. Blood and urine tests are typically used and in some instances hair analysis to identify an imbalance. Knowing how to interpret the results and prescribe the right combination of nutrients (minerals, vitamins, and amino acids) is needed to bring individualized biochemistry back into balance which is why finding a practitioner familiar with copper toxicity is key. The method of treatment for copper toxicity includes:
Removing the excess copper slowly and add nutrients to balance what became deficient or imbalanced using targeted nutrient therapy
- Copper is eliminated through the bile. It is important to ensure that the release of toxins is done slowly and properly to protect against copper getting stirred up and redeposited in another location like the brain to avoid the release of negative emotions. Detoxing too quickly is called dumping and can result in negative physical and mental reactions (i.e., headaches, acne, extreme fatigue, joint pain, digestive problems, premenstrual type cramps or testicular pain, anxiety, spaciness, and fears). This is why professional monitoring is advised.
- When copper is high other needed nutrients lower. It may seem simple to just remove the excess copper and add the nutrients that became deficient. However, it is a very complex process to provide the right nutritional support to obtain the appropriate individualized balance. Taking supplements on your own that you think may help could cause adverse effects.
- Some doctors may recommend chelators to remove copper. This method can have serious side effects including kidney damage so before agreeing to this type of toxic method, do your homework. Even natural chelators remove essential minerals along with toxic metals and cause more of an imbalance.
Avoiding high copper foods
- Vegetarian and vegan diets are high in copper along with soy, beans/legumes, brewer’s yeast, nuts, seeds, avocado, mushrooms, dried fruits, organ meats, shellfish, grains, and chocolate to name a few.
Incorporating a regular stress-reducing regimen
- Meditation, yoga, tai chi or any form of relaxation that helps to calm and reduce stress is essential for maintaining normal copper levels. When the body is under stress it uses up stored nutrients that help reduce copper. In turn, copper accumulation makes it difficult to deal with stress symptoms.
Seeing a Cognitive Behavior Therapist
- Copper is a heavy metal that can take a toll on the adrenals and psychological process so there is emotional healing that requires individual due diligence. Particularly, releasing fear which has a paralyzing effect on the body.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine cites that buried negative emotions are stored in the liver and can be released when detoxing these toxins.
- As the body is getting help to rebalance and heal the mind also needs assistance to heal emotional thought patterns that became imbalanced from prolonged negative behaviors. Releasing these negative emotions frees up energy that can be used to assist the body’s copper metabolism.
When treatment is adhered to, imbalances in chemistry can be corrected and healing begins. The length of time it takes to correct a copper imbalance depends on the extent of accumulation and the body’s natural ability to detox the excess copper. Depending on the severity and the level of commitment, it can take 6 months to several years to correct a copper imbalance. Those who have been on a vegetarian or vegan diet for a long time may have a lot of build-up and resistance to adding the needed zinc from meat. Adrenal weakness and/or burnout also take longer for someone to recover because adrenal restoration is a process in itself.
Those who comply with the proper nutrition both from supplements and food and take measures to protect their stress level and emotional well-being often come away from the once debilitating condition to a heightened sense of self-awareness along with improved energy from the adrenals restoration and overall improved health. In summary, we are all biochemical individuals which is why it is important to get tested by a professional trained in biochemical imbalances.
Healing is also an individualized journey. There is no one-size-fits-all way to approach healing. Listening to your body and mind to identify patterns that cause undesirable physical and emotional changes is a good first step.
Article submitted by Deb Sheesley Tokarz, Author of I Cu Copper: How a simple biochemical imbalance was misdiagnosed as mental illness.
Email: debtokarzauthor@gmail.com
Website: debtokarz.com
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