Cop on to bone health

Taking copper supplements had a protective effect against oxidation in erythrocytes in older adults, according to new European research seeking to evaluate the effects of copper supplementation on DNA damage.

While the research found that copper supplementation at levels up to seven times the normal dietary intake did not result in any alteration in DNA damage in adults aged 18-45 years, it did note possible benefits on bone health.

Having insufficient copper in the diet is thought to have a detrimental effect on bone metabolism in healthy adults however, most people appear to have an adequate intake of the trace element. In Western populations, intake of copper is below 2mg/day (the UK recommended intake for copper is 1.2mg).

The Foodcue project investigated the effects of changing from a medium (1.6mg/day) to a low (0.7mg/day) or a high (6.0mg /day) copper intake on bone turnover in healthy adults. Markers of bone resorption were significantly increased when subjects switched from the medium to the low copper diet and decreased when they changed from the low to the high copper diet. There may be implications for bone health of individuals with marginal copper intakes, said the researchers.

However, in females, copper supplementation of the usual diet, while apparently improving copper status, had no effect on biochemical markers of bone formation or bone resorption over a four-week period.

Copper is a component of many enzymes (cuproenzymes) and proteins, and plays a role in immune function, bone health, arterial compliance, haemostasis and protection against oxidative and inflammatory damage. The richest sources of copper are offal, seafood, nuts and seeds. Wholegrain cereals are also good sources, and copper water pipes may also contribute to copper intake in some areas.

The researchers also identified serum diamine oxidase activity as a potential marker of copper status, which is sensitive to changes in dietary copper intakes.