Copper, an Ignored Contributor to Mental Health Symptoms
Copper is an essential element in the brain and body. It’s essential because our bodies cannot create it, and having an improper amount of it causes dysfunction.
Copper is a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in biochemical reactions, including neurotransmitter creation. Enzymes cannot function properly with too little or too much of a cofactor, meaning that copper overload disrupts the normal biochemical processes that keep our brains and bodies functioning well. Studies show that this type of dysfunction “may cause serious brain diseases such as depression” (Chen 2023).
Here is a list of psychiatric symptoms associated with copper overload:
Symptoms of ADHD, including hyperactivity, poor concentration, and focus
Emotional meltdowns and frequent anger
High anxiety
Depression symptoms of rumination, going over the same thoughts over and over, and difficulty fully engaging with life
Sleep problems
Postpartum depression symptoms
Copper overload can occur due to various factors, including:
Zinc deficiency - Due to poor diet, vegan/vegetarian diets, depleted soil, gastrointestinal malabsorption, chronic illness, and genetic mutations.
Environmental exposure to copper - From copper-rich foods (soy, beans, grains, nuts, avocados, potatoes, oysters, mushrooms, etc.), leaching from copper water pipes, cookware, dental fillings, pool chemicals, pesticides, and fungicides.
Oral contraceptives and copper IUDs - Increased estrogen levels cause copper retention.
Xenoestrogens - Endocrine disruptors from pesticides, plastics, dry cleaning chemicals, growth hormones in meat, and personal care and cleaning products can lead to hormonal imbalances and drive copper levels up.
Low levels of key binding proteins - Key proteins, including ceruloplasmin and metallothionein, bind to copper and help keep copper levels in check. However, low levels of these proteins can cause a large percentage of unbound copper to accumulate.
Although the link between copper dysregulation and depression is established, most well-meaning conventional psychiatrists do not include it in their assessments or treatment of patients. As a holistic psychiatrist who values providing options alongside and outside medication to my patients, evaluating copper status and testing levels directly via lab work is always a part of any assessment and treatment plan.
One way to assess copper overload is by measuring the ratios of copper to ceruloplasmin, copper to zinc, and total copper levels in the blood. Ceruloplasmin is a copper-binding protein that helps regulate copper levels in the blood, so a low ratio of copper to ceruloplasmin may indicate copper overload. Similarly, a high ratio of copper to zinc may suggest that there is an imbalance of these minerals that could lead to copper excess. Total copper levels can also be measured to assess copper overload, but this alone may not provide a complete picture of copper metabolism.
Rather than guessing, personalized treatment plans are made based on lab work results. Addressing copper overload typically involves reducing exposure to dietary and environmental sources of copper, supporting liver function, and using specific supplements to help regulate copper levels and support antioxidant function. Zinc supplementation may also be helpful in balancing copper levels and supporting neurotransmitter function. Many of my patients have found assessing copper status to be an indispensable part of their mental health treatment.
This is a glimpse into a holistic psychiatrist’s treatment approach. It’s been helpful to many, especially for those who wish to avoid psychiatric medication, have tried several different medications to little effect, have intolerable side effects, or wish to come off psychiatric medications. Brain-Body Psychiatry is here to explore mental health treatment options alongside and outside medication. I am excited to work on this together. If you’re interested in this approach, I am very excited to work on this together.
With care,
Dr. Luisa Cacciaguida
Other articles on this topic:
https://www.secondopinionphysician.com/copper-toxicity-depression/
https://www.courtneysnydermd.com/blog/copper-overload-too-much-of-a-good-thing3
https://www.mensahmedical.com/copper-overload/
Disclaimer:
This blog post is intended to be informative and does not replace individual medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a professional for any personal medical decisions or concerns you may have. Everyone's health situation is unique and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
This blog post is designed as a general guide. This is not a substitute for personalized medical advice, nor is a patient-physician relationship established in this blog post.
