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Higher copper intake correlates with better cognitive performance in older adults, data suggest
Medical Xpress / Scientific Reports ^ | July 17, 2025 | Justin Jackson / Weiai Jia et al

Posted on 07/25/2025 10:03:52 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

Stages of dementia are marked by declines in memory and executive function. Previous research has examined whether micronutrient levels may relate to cognitive resilience.

Copper is an essential trace element that participates in neuronal energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and antioxidant regulation.

A cohort of 2,420 participants aged 60 years or older was selected from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). All participants had complete data on dietary intake and cognitive function.

Dietary copper intake was derived from two averaged 24-hour dietary recalls. Cognitive function was measured using four instruments: the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), the Animal Fluency Test (AFT), the immediate and delayed recall subtests of the CERAD protocol, and a composite Z score reflecting global cognition. Copper intake was stratified into quartiles.

Multivariate linear regression models were used to test associations. In the fully adjusted model, participants in the highest copper intake quartile (Q4, ≥1.44 mg/day) had higher scores than those in the lowest quartile (Q1, <0.76 mg/day): DSST (β=3.80, 95% CI 1.90, 5.70), AFT (β=1.23, 95% CI 0.48, 1.99), CERAD-DRT (β=0.47, 95% CI 0.15, 0.80), and Z score (β=0.20, 95% CI 0.10, 0.29). No statistically significant association with CERAD-IRT was found in the fully adjusted model (β=0.58, 95% CI −0.06, 1.22).

Participants in the higher copper intake quartiles were more likely to be male, non-Hispanic white, married, and higher income, with lower smoking prevalence and more favorable nutritional profiles, including higher intake of zinc, iron, selenium, and total energy.

Spline-based regression modeling showed an inverted L-shaped association between copper intake and DSST, AFT, and Z score. Cognitive test performance improved with copper intake up to thresholds of 1.63 mg/day (DSST), 1.42 mg/day (AFT), and 1.22 mg/day (Z score).

Authors conclude that copper intake was associated with better cognitive function test scores in older adults.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: cognitive; copper; dementia; dietarycopper; elderly; memory; micronutrient; nlz; older
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It appears 1.63 mg of copper from all sources a day helped people have better cognitive processing skills.

Do note this is a pretty low amount of copper, if taking a vitamin / mineral supplement, drinking water from copper pipes in the home, and from foods and beverages. I checked my long-term copper intake on a daily basis and I was getting 3.5-4 mg a day. It caused a zinc imbalance, despite getting what I thought was adequate amounts. Copper and zinc oppose each other in a 1 : 7.5 ratio in milligrams. Just be aware of this.

1 posted on 07/25/2025 10:03:52 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 07/25/2025 10:04:25 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Dietary Sources of Copper:
Seafood: Oysters and other shellfish are particularly rich in copper.
Nuts and Seeds: Cashews, sunflower seeds, and other nuts and seeds are good sources.
Whole Grains: Wheat bran, and other whole grain products contain copper.
Legumes: Beans and lentils are good sources.
Organ Meats: Liver and kidneys are also high in copper.
Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate, especially the 70-85% variety, is a good source.
Potatoes: Both regular and sweet potatoes contain copper.


3 posted on 07/25/2025 10:08:08 PM PDT by kiryandil (No one in AZ that voted for Trump voted for Gallego )
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To: ConservativeMind

Copper is important for keeping iron levels proper, which helps prevent anemia. Anemia increases fatigue and exhaustion and can sometimes help people pass out getting up too fast.


4 posted on 07/25/2025 10:12:29 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Yet another reason for the mint to keep busing pennies.


5 posted on 07/25/2025 10:18:31 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nutmeg

.


6 posted on 07/25/2025 10:19:35 PM PDT by nutmeg (The American Flag is my 'pride flag')
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To: ConservativeMind

Kool!!! I can strip copper wire and chop it up in my blender. Then I don’t have to pay for it.


7 posted on 07/25/2025 10:32:51 PM PDT by Revel
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To: kiryandil

Thank you!


8 posted on 07/25/2025 10:39:58 PM PDT by NoLibZone (Trump failures: leaving Antifa off Terror list,Market chaos. Hiring Bondi. )
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To: nickcarraway

Pennies are our friend.


9 posted on 07/25/2025 10:58:25 PM PDT by FreeperCell
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To: ConservativeMind

How are we supposed to know how much copper/zinc to consume? This, and other minerals, if we have enough of one, we have too little of the other.


10 posted on 07/25/2025 11:02:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: ConservativeMind

I’ve been knawing on some cat-6 cable.

Ain’t seen no difference


11 posted on 07/25/2025 11:05:59 PM PDT by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: nickcarraway

Pennies are colored ZINC.


12 posted on 07/25/2025 11:42:37 PM PDT by Don W (When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
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To: Don W

So a those pennies I swallowed are not helping me? 😁


13 posted on 07/26/2025 12:03:22 AM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings )
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To: kiryandil
I've read that beer also contains copper.

Not that I want to give people excuses to drink.

14 posted on 07/26/2025 12:08:09 AM PDT by Angelino97
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To: nickcarraway

My drinking water supply has been through copper pipes since 1956.

Each piece is connected to the next with lead solder...


15 posted on 07/26/2025 1:39:18 AM PDT by Does so ("Trump said today, "I'm with Ukraine". You?.....🇺🇦...Dem☭¢rat... ∅ one ™ ¿ ¡ ☞≣ ½¼)
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To: ConservativeMind

Doctor’s advice — Every day, eat a penny for your thoughts.

But it needs to be an old penny with real copper.


16 posted on 07/26/2025 4:08:49 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The list of things I no longer care about is long. And it's getting longer.)
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To: kiryandil

Thanks for the examples - I was gonna quip, “A penny a day keeps the dementia away”.

We usually have a chunk of 90% chocolate after lunch and keep a jar of cashews on the coffee table - add some periodic beef and bean stews and we are probably covered.


17 posted on 07/26/2025 4:42:49 AM PDT by trebb (So many fools - so little time...)
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To: nickcarraway

If you took in 1.63 mg of copper from all your foods, then the right amount of zinc for the day would be 12.225 mg.

1 : 7.5 ratio
1.63 mg : 12.225 mg

I believe the Upper Tolerable Limit of copper is 10 mg a day, and 40 mg a day for zinc.

Some people taking AREDS formula for their eyes for AMD get more zinc than 40 mg a day.


18 posted on 07/26/2025 5:17:08 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

A good article. Thanks.


19 posted on 07/26/2025 5:33:26 AM PDT by SharpRightTurn (“Giving money & power to government is like giving whiskey & car keys to teenage boys” P.J. O'Rourke)
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To: ConservativeMind

My multivitamin for women over fifty contains 0.5 mg of copper, 56% of DV (daily value), and 15 mg of zinc, 136% of DV.


20 posted on 07/26/2025 6:42:53 AM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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