Copper

What is it?

Copper is essential in all higher plants and animals. It is the third most abundant trace mineral in the human body. It is carried mostly in the bloodstream on a plasma protein called ceruloplasmin. When this mineral is first absorbed in the gut it is transported to the liver bound to albumin. This mineral is found in a variety of enzymes, including the centers of cytochrome c oxidase, the Cu-Zn containing enzyme superoxide dismutase, and is the central metal in the oxygen carrying pigment hemocyanin. The blood of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus uses copper rather than iron for oxygen transport. It is believed that zinc and copper compete for absorption in the digestive tract so that a diet that is excessive in one of these minerals may result in a deficiency in the other.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/copper

The Benefits

Much more than Copper is discussed back at the Natural Source Vitamins Homepage