Copper Gluconate (or rather, just copper) is by no means a newly discovered mineral. Copper’s been popping up in everything from pipes to cookware. As studies surrounding the health benefits of copper gluconate become more involved and intricate, researchers are finding that it is much more than just a substance that coats our pennies.
Copper, as it turns out, is extremely important to the body. Though it is only found in trace amounts, a copper deficiency can mean vision loss and other harmful side effects.
Now before you go sticking a fistful of pennies into your mouth… Don’t. Instead, read on to find out how your body can benefit from copper and some of our favorite ways of consuming the mineral.
Copper Gluconate: What Is It?
We should start by explaining that the copper that is found in your body is different from the one you’ll find on your saucepan. The difference is that copper gluconate is highly soluble in water, whereas the copper in your bathrooms pipes is obviously not.
This soluble copper gluconate is what is largely found in foods and in copper supplements. Otherwise you’d be eating straight metal and no human body could possibly benefit from that.
In its soluble form, copper has an enormous impact on your health. Even though copper is only found in trace amounts (meaning very little amounts) in the body and is only needed in trace amounts, a deficiency can mean severe health issues.
Because your daily recommended intake of copper is so low, deficiencies are very rare, but they can be caused by other factors such as surgery, low vitamin B12 in the body, zinc toxicity, or sometimes it can be hereditary.
Some symptoms of a copper deficiency are:
- Vision loss
- Fatigue
- Osteoporosis (and brittle bones)
- Anemia
- Weak immune system
- Pale or sickly looking skin
- Constant low body temperature
A simple treatment of copper gluconate supplements is often used. Though it’s unlikely you’ll ever experience a copper deficiency, being aware of it is important for your health and especially eye health. Our eyes are resilient but fragile. Even the smallest amount of copper missing can hurt our vision.
On the opposite side of the spectrum we have copper toxicity. Copper in large amounts is toxic to the body, which is why taking a copper supplement (unless directed to do so by a doctor) does not come highly recommended.
However copper toxicity isn’t only a result of taking the wrong dosage of supplements. It can also occur when ingesting food that has been cooked in uncoated copper cookware or when there is high levels of copper in drinking water.
Generally, it is suggested that only 10 milligrams (mg) should be consumed per day. Any more can result in kidney failure and possible death. one gram can be a sufficient amount to push your body over the edge. Be wary when considering your copper gluconate intake and always consult a doctor beforehand.
Copper Gluconate for the Eyes
That last section ended on a sort of scary note, but making coffee in the morning can be scary if you aren’t careful. With copper, it’s really all about being careful, especially when it comes to the eyes.
Copper is a much needed mineral for the eyes. Like any well-oiled machine, the eyes need all the minerals and vitamins to work in harmony to be fully functional. That includes copper, even if it’s just a little bit.
One of the main benefits of copper gluconate is how it works to boost the connectivity within the tissues of the eye. This means that the pigmentation (and the melanin) in the eye will stay vibrant for longer, keeping your eyes bright and beautiful.
Beauty aside, copper gluconate has also been suggested to help prevent vision conditions such as age-related macular degeneration. Early research has even suggested that the ability to improve connectivity between the tissues is making copper a contender in treating myopia naturally.
Of course, as we spoke about before, a copper deficiency can mean loss of vision. Even if it had no other added benefits, copper would be essential to keeping your vision clear and healthy.
Where Is Copper Gluconate Found?
Copper can be found in a variety of places including mines. The largest copper mine can be found in Utah. Mined copper is refined and purified to be used for pennies, cookware, pipes, and supplements.
A very refined version of copper gluconate can be found in supplement form for those with copper deficiencies. These supplements can either come in tablet and gel form or in drop form. The tablets are ingested daily and the drops can be mixed in with drinks and meals.
Copper gluconate can also be found in our Ocu-Plus Formula. This formula will provide your eyes with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients needed for healthy eyes, including the trace amounts of copper that your body needs.
Copper Gluconate-Rich Foods
Of course supplements aren’t the only way to get copper into your diet. Food is the most natural and reliable source for vitamin and minerals! Copper is found in so many different foods that you’ll most likely not even have to worry about it.
Everybody loves foods, so let’s take a look at the best foods containing copper gluconate:
Liver (especially veal)- Seafood (especially oysters)
- Beans
- Cocoa and dark chocolate
- Sesame seeds
- Goat cheese
- Avocado
There’s a wide variety of foods to choose from so that if you aren’t keen on liver (we don’t know too many people who are), maybe dark chocolate will be more enticing. Copper deficiencies are rare because it can be found in so many different foods. If you incorporate healthy and diverse foods into your diet, you’ll have all the copper you need.
Copper gluconate is not just any mineral. It’s a mineral that will keep your eyes functioning and help prevent age-related macular degeneration. Copper can be found in almost every cell in the body. Though it is found trace amounts, it’s as important as any other vitamin or nutrient in the body.