Hair Analysis-Mercury testing

HIGH	During illness, copper is released from the tissues to the blood to promote tissue repair. In people with diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, hypertension or cancer, serum copper levels tend to be high. As with mercury and lead, elevated copper levels have been associated with mental and emotional disorders. Symptoms associated with copper toxicity are; severe damage to the central nervous system, volatile personality. autism, childhood hyperactivity, clinical depression, anxiety, postpartum psychological problems, hallucinations, paranoia, mood swings, schizophrenic type behavior, stuttering, GI complaints, diarrhea, eczema, hemolytic anemia, high blood pressure, and senile dementia (senility).

	Zinc plays an important role in how much copper is stored in the body. A deficiency of zinc can cause too much copper build up in the tissues. The balance between copper and zinc seems to be critically important in determining the rate of thyroid hormone production. Copper slows down the thyroid while zinc increases thyroid action. Many consider hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism (including Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis) as different phases of the same disease. Some researchers believe that both are caused by nutrient deficiencies, but hyperthyroidism results when the deficiencies become more severe.

	(Cu) is an important metallo-enzyme. It is an activator of dopamine beta-hydroxylase and an essential element for proper adrenal function. The liver is the main organ for storage and excretion. About 90% of the total plasma copper is tightly bound to the protein ceruloplasmin, and of theremaining 10% most is loosely bound to albumin with the rest being complexed with amino acids suchas histidine, threonine and glutamine. These amino acids and albumin are important for the coppertransport between the liver and various peripheral tissues. Copper toxicity is a potential complicationin long-term dialysis patients. Estrogen therapy can increase blood copper levels, leading to emotionalinstability. High postpartum levels have been linked to depression and mood disorders. High blood levels are found in Hodgkin's disease, leukemias and other malignancies, hemochromatosis, liverdisease, rheumatic fever, major and minor thalessemia (a group of inherited blood disorders that can cause mild to severe anemia), collagen disease, trauma and in psychiatric disease states including schizophrenia. Toxicity symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, discoloration of skin and hemolytic anemia. High copper levels are often accompanied by zincdeficiency. High copper levels increase the toxic effect of selenium and suppress iron absorption.

SOURCES:	whole grains, shellfish, nuts, organ meats, eggs, cocoa, chocolate, Brewer's yeast and copper-rich drinking water. Copper IUDs have also caused elevated copper levels.

THERAPEUTIC CONSIDERATION:	To normalize levels, evaluate iron, manganese, zinc and molybdenum levels. Vitamin C increases the copper excretion, especially when used with amino acids and vitamin B6. Copper levels tend to be higher during pregnancy. Zinc plays an important role in how much copper is stored in the body. A deficiency of zinc can cause too much copper build up in the tissues. Wilson’s disease is a rare hereditary disorder in which the body is unable to metabolize copper properly. Instead, this metal accumulates in the body and has been associated with diminished adrenal gland function or abnormally slow metabolic rates.

Clinically Important Copper Ratios

Retio	Ideal	Significance

Zinc: Copper	8:1	Cardiovascular, female reproductive system, liver function
Iron:Copper	2.5:1	Hematological, energy production through perspiration

Zinc/Copper ratios and interpretive significance (emotional stability)

Low zinc/copper :

copper dominance is associated with the same characteristics as high copper, including fear, depression and emotionalism. High copper levels are associated with higher than-normal levels of estrogen levels. Estrogen has a feminizing influence on thought and behavior patterns. Many homosexuals have been revealed as having copper imbalances in hair analysis. Some theories suggest that since copper imbalances may be present from birth (suggesting the impression that one may be genetically homosexual ) or acquired very early in life, it is possible that there may be a biochemical predisposition.

High zinc/copper:

zinc dominance is associated with emotional stability or reduced emotional response. A high zinc/copper ratio may not be a true reflection of the body condition due to distorted zinc elevations by cadmium presence and/or bio-unavailable copper due to problems of mal-absorption.

Although the FDA has never established a RDA (I) (Recommended Daily Allowance/ Intake) for copper the National Academy of Sciences’ National research Council recommends a daily (organic/bio-available/ non-toxic or metallic form) of 1.5 - 3 milligrams per day for adults, 1.5 - 2.5 for children, and 0.4 - 0.6 milligrams for infants less than 6 months.

The use of pasteurized milk, oral contraceptives, tobacco, beer, copper cookware, copper plumbing, industrial waste, insecticides, tap water, various foods, exposure to swimming pool chemicals, and permanent-wave solutions can all contribute to elevated levels of copper in the body.

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