What is copper deficiency?
Copper deficiency is rare among healthy people and occurs primarily in people with genetic disorders or malabsorption problems such as Crohn’s and celiac disease. A genetic condition called Menkes disease interferes with copper absorption, leading to severe deficiency that could become fatal without copper injections.
Also, it is possible to create a copper deficiency by taking high doses of zinc supplements that can block the absorption of copper in the small intestine.
Common copper deficiency symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Lightened patches of skin
- Anemia
- High cholesterol
- Bone weakness
- Osteoporosis
- Bone fractures
- Increased infections
- Loss of balance
- Loss of coordination
- Frequent infections
What causes a copper deficiency?
- Celiac disease
- Menkes disease
- Kidney failure
- Gastric bypass surgery
- High doses of zinc supplements
Further reading: Harvard School of Public Health, National Institutes of Health