DIETARY COPPER FOR THE HUMAN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM AND BRAIN: AN INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a review of dietary copper for the human biological system and brain. Copper is among the vital micronutrients that should be essentially consumed by humans through diet for proper functioning of the body (and brain in particular). Dietary copper is obtained from foods such as nuts, leafy green leaves, meat, grain cereals, etc. Most of the dietary copper is initially dependent on the environment (soil and water feeding the plant-based foods). Some people are born with inborn deformations (errors) of copper metabolism; parable, Menkes disease; in the brain, an array of neurodegenerative problems arises due to problem in dietary copper. Conspicuous of copper in the brain, especially in basal ganglia, cerebellum, synaptic membranes, hippocampus, cell bodies of pyramidal neurons are a clue of essentially of copper in brain functions as well. Neurodegenerative abnormalities of copper include, aceruloplasmimea, Alzheimer's disease, etc. The role of copper in enzymes such as cytochrome c oxidase, Cu, Zn- dependent superoxide dismutase, dopamine-beta hydroxylase, etc; and essentiality. Mostly, normal people may have normal copper, but deficiency occurs in patients such as those battling in Wilson's disease, celiac disease, etc. Therefore, people should be educated on how to wisely consume nutritious foods rich in micronutrients, including copper.