Copper

cofactor · 3

• →Iron

  Copper enzymes help iron oxidation and transport; deficiency can impair iron mobilization.

  GUIDE · AGUIDE · A

• →Phosphorus

  Cu cofactors lysyl oxidase — crosslinks bone collagen + elastin. With Ca/P/D/K2 all adequate, Cu deficiency still produces brittle bone matrix. Menkes disease is the extreme phenotype.

  GUIDE · AGUIDE · A

• →Bone

  Lysyl oxidase needs copper to tie cross-links between neighbouring collagen ropes; the tighter those knots, the tougher the bone. Short on copper, density can still look fine while the bone turns brittle.

  GUIDE · AGUIDE · A

antagonism · 2

• ↮Zinc

  Long-term high-dose zinc can suppress copper absorption.

  GUIDE · AGUIDE · A

• ↮Molybdenum

  High Mo + sulfur → forms tetrathiomolybdate (TM) → chelates Cu → livestock 'peat scours' Cu deficiency; clinically used as TM (Coprexa) for Wilson's disease (copper toxicity). High-Mo drinking water requires Cu monitoring.

  GUIDE · AGUIDE · A