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"Copper is the “Achilles Heel” of the human body and the ultimate anti-microbial mineral. All pathogens cave in the presence of copper.” – Morley Robbins

We all know the importance of vitamins and minerals in maintaining human health, but modern medical science often has a major misunderstanding of how these essential nutrients interact with one another. Copper is the ultimate example of this phenomenon. The mineral copper serves a vital role of the health of the cell and production of mitochondrial energy. It acts as a biocompatible semiconductor within the cell, supporting the movement of electrons from one point to another within the body. It also directly interacts with many other important minerals like magnesium and iron and the relatively unknown protein ceruloplasmin. Deficiencies of this vital mineral can shut down the processes of the cell and destroy energy production. With the hinderance of important cell functions and energy production disturbed the only logical conclusion is disease.

Morley Robbins is the creator of the Root Cause Protocol and has spent decades researching the delicate interplay of copper, magnesium, iron, and calcium within the body. With a BA in Biology, an MBA in healthcare administration, and multiple certifications in wellness coaching and nutritional counseling, he has dedicated his life to the study of the root cause of disease. In his research, he has discovered the devastating effects of inflammation and oxidative stress and how the imbalance of certain minerals creates cellular dysfunction and fatigue. He hopes to dispel the modern medical myth of disease and share his knowledge of how the reversal of mineral imbalances can lead to ultimate health and endless energy.

We have this incredibly important metal playing very strategic roles in the body. There are only four things that copper does in our metabolism. Only four. Creates energy, clears exhaust, catalyzes enzymes, and combats all enemies, bacteria, fungus, and parasites.

More than 30 types of copper-containing proteins are known today. Some prominent examples are Ceruloplasmin plays a critical role in iron metabolism, lysyl oxidase, which is involved in the cross linking of collagen, tyrosinase, required for melanin synthesis, dopamine β-hydroxylase, which functions in the catecholamine pathway, cytochrome c oxidase, the terminal electron acceptor of the respiratory chain, and superoxide dismutase, required for defense against oxidative damage. The immune system requires copper for a variety of tasks.

Deficiency of copper results in a weakened immune response in humans. Copper serves as an essential factor for the proper functioning of B cells, T helper cells, natural killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, and macrophages. Copper is a potent antimicrobial. Copper destroys microbes by degrading their genomic and plasmid DNA, primarily through its charged Cu2+ ions. Copper is responsible for many profound functions in the body and is principally focused on creating energy via cytochrome-C oxidase and clearing exhaust within a network of antioxidant enzymes. But, in order for copper to be able to perform its functions, it must be bioavailable; it needs to be “complexed” in a network of proteins and enzymes.

Ninety-five percent of copper in the blood is “complexed” in ceruloplasmin. However, for copper to be loaded in ceruloplasmin, we need the critical involvement of retinol (real vitamin A), which is an essential nutrient for this process. For most people today, copper is, in fact, missing in action because we don’t have enough of it, and iron, rather than being deficient, is stuck (dysfunctional) in our tissues. It is this lack of copper that causes iron to become stuck and accumulate where it does not belong, especially in cells called “recycling macrophages” that are key to proper iron recycling and healthy copper<> iron metabolism. When the body produces heme, at the end of that process, there are eight enzymes that are involved. Four of them are active outside of the mitochondria, and four of them perform their tasks inside the mitochondrial copper matrix. The four inside the mitochondria all require copper, and the last one is the most important.

CERULOPLASMIN

The average practitioner has never heard that word before. Since its discovery, ceruloplasmin has been revealed to be the master “multi-copper protein.” It has an “active” and an “inactive” state, or is measured via its “enzyme activity,” or its levels of “immunoreactive protein.”

In its active state, ceruloplasmin contains up to eight copper atoms, several of which surround a molecule of oxygen (O2). But only the inactive state is measured by commercial labs, using the serum ceruloplasmin blood test. Outside of research studies, there are no commercial labs that measure the active state.

Ceruloplasmin protein is one of the biggest proteins in the body. This is not hepcidin. We’re not talking about insulin; we’re talking about 1,160 amino acids. It’s not the biggest protein, it’s one of the biggest proteins and it’s a tank because it’s got eight coppers inside it. All 8 coppers are needed for ceruloplasmin.

The real problem with ceruloplasmin is that it has 20 copper binding sets. This means that it can express 20 different functions.

When you’re talking about a protein that can express many different enzyme functions, that regulates iron and oxygen, that prevents oxidative stress, which is the very harbinger of all chronic disease, when you’ve got a metal that runs the shell, that’s the general, what are you going to do? You’re going to flip it. You’re going to tell people, “You’re anemic, and you’re copper toxic. Be careful of retinol because it’s going to cause vitamin A toxicity.” If people believe that copper is toxic, and vitamin A is toxic, then they have a long way to go in their research to understand what’s really going on. There’s way more to the story than what appears in mainstream circles.

Symptoms of Copper Deficiency
A deficiency of copper can have the following symptoms in human beings:

• Anemia

• Low body temperature

• Brittle bones

• Osteoporosis

• Dilated veins

• Low white blood cell count

• Uneven heartbeat

• Elevated cholesterol levels

• Low resistance to infections

• Birth defects

• Low skin pigmentation

• Thyroid disorders

Other symptoms include lethargy, paleness, sores, edema, stunted growth, hair loss, anorexia, diarrhea, bleeding under the skin, and dermatitis. In infant boys, inherited copper deficiency of the rare Menkes’ syndrome can happen, where natural absorption of copper becomes impossible. Early intervention is essential in such cases.