Copper imbalances have been associated with a number of pathological conditions, including cancer. Publishing in PNAS, scientists have found that copper in drinking water -- given at the maximum levels permitted in public water supplies -- accelerated the growth of tumors in mice. On the other hand, reducing copper levels reduced tumor growth. The study strongly suggests that copper is an essential factor for the growth of tumors in humans as well.
Importantly, the researchers do not think that copper causes cancer. Exposure of healthy mice to the same amount of copper via drinking water for up to two years did not result in an increased incidence of cancer. The authors suggest that copper levels could be monitored in cancer patients. They propose that minimizing copper in the patient's system may be beneficial in cancer therapy, especially when combined with drugs that block glycolysis. This two-step strategy would starve cancer cells.
Steve: While this study asserts that high copper levels only affect individuals with cancer, we have seen many other studies showing neurological and autoimmune damage from too much copper in healthy persons.
This does not mean that those with copper pipes have to retrofit their homes. You must be aware, however, that copper and zinc are inextricably linked. If you copper levels are high, it is probable that your zinc levels are low. You can test for copper and zinc through, serum, urine, or hair analysis. If your zinc level is low, the only way to raise it is through supplementation. An amino acid chelate is the best absorbed form of zinc. Please seek the advice of a licensed health professional because just as too much copper can be toxic, so can zinc if not supplemented properly.
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