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 ...
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.
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.
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.
Yet another reason for the mint to keep busing pennies.
.
Kool!!! I can strip copper wire and chop it up in my blender. Then I don’t have to pay for it.
Thank you!
Pennies are our friend.
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.
I’ve been knawing on some cat-6 cable.
Ain’t seen no difference
Pennies are colored ZINC.
So a those pennies I swallowed are not helping me? 😁
Not that I want to give people excuses to drink.
My drinking water supply has been through copper pipes since 1956.
Each piece is connected to the next with lead solder...
Doctor’s advice — Every day, eat a penny for your thoughts.
But it needs to be an old penny with real copper.
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.
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.
A good article. Thanks.
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.
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