Copper Link to Depression and Anxiety

by Vanita Dahia

Copper is an essential trace mineral involved in numerous physiological processes, including neurotransmitter synthesis and antioxidant defence. Emerging evidence suggests a complex relationship between copper and zinc status and mental health, particularly depression and anxiety.  

The Importance of Copper Balance in Mental Health

Copper plays a vital role in various bodily functions, particularly in methylation—a crucial biochemical process affecting DNA, neurotransmitter synthesis, and overall brain health. However, maintaining an optimal copper balance is essential, as both deficiency and excess can have significant repercussions on mental health.

Copper’s role in methylation

Methylation is a crucial biochemical process involved in various bodily functions, including neurotransmitter production and detoxification. Copper is integral to the proper functioning of methylation pathways, which are responsible for synthesizing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are crucial for regulating mood and cognitive functions. Elevated copper levels can disrupt these pathways, leading to the accumulation of harmful byproducts that impair neurotransmitter production.

Copper and oxidative stress

Imbalances in copper levels can contribute to oxidative stress, which can damage cells and tissues, including those in the brain. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development and progression of depression and anxiety.  

Consequences of Excess Copper

Excess copper in the body can have several detrimental effects. It can cause oxidative stress, damaging brain cells and exacerbating mental health symptoms. Nutrient imbalances, such as deficiencies in zinc, vitamin C, and molybdenum, can further complicate the picture. These nutrients work synergistically with copper in various biochemical processes, and their deficiencies can disrupt copper metabolism, worsening mental health conditions.

Some of the common signs include:

• Mood disorders: Depression, anxiety, irritability, and sudden mood changes

• Physical symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
• Neurological symptoms: Difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, and insomnia
• Visible signs: Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), black or tarry stools, and a brown ring around the cornea
• Severe complications: Kidney damage, liver failure, heart problems, and brain damage

Testing for Copper excess

Testing for copper levels is crucial with methyl factors to identify the oxidant damage of percentage free copper. Copper levels can be measured through blood tests, and if found elevated, several strategies can help manage it.

Targeted Nutrient Therapy

Nutrients are the natural match for our internal chemistry and structure, created to sustain, build, activate, moderate, repair, and support healthy brain and body function.

Targeted Nutrient therapy was first published by Dr Carl Pfeiffer and Dr Bill Walsh which recognized that most humans have nutrient imbalances due to genetic and environmental factors, and these imbalances can cause imbalances in a number of ways

Key neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and adrenalin are continuously produced in the brain from nutrient raw materials

Nutrient imbalances can alter epigenetic processes that govern NT activity at synapses

Deficiency in antioxidant nutrients can cripple the brain’s protection against toxic metals

Nutrient therapy, which includes supplementation of zinc, vitamin C, and molybdenum, can help normalize copper levels. Additionally, addressing dietary sources of copper and using chelation and targeted nutrient therapy can be effective.

Educational Webinar

Discover the surprising impact of copper on your mood, mental clarity and mental well-being.

Why is this important?

Mental health management has significantly advanced recently, driven by increased awareness and the rising incidence of stress, anxiety, depression, and more complex conditions.

While pharmaceutical interventions and efficacy statistics are prominent, there’s growing interest in published research exploring mind-body medicine paradigms and targeted nutritional therapies.

Dr. William Walsh’s research on the crucial roles of zinc, copper (and their relationship with ceruloplasmin), histamine, vitamin D, and methylation has been instrumental in identifying nutrient-related imbalances in mental health.

Studying these nutrients can help pinpoint biochemical irregularities often linked to psychiatric symptoms, potentially treatable with nutrient therapy protocols.

Copper overload, in particular, is becoming increasingly prevalent, possibly due to widespread oral contraceptive use, ubiquitous exposure to xenoestrogens (found in plastics and petrochemicals), growth hormones in animal agriculture, copper fungicides, and widespread zinc deficiency often stemming from malabsorption and compromised gut health.

Learning Outcomes

In this webinar, you will learn:

➡️ Nutrient power of copper and zinc in mental health
➡️ Role of copper in methylation and oxidative stress
➡️ Effect of copper in neurotransmitter and hormone balance
➡️ Interpretation of a Pfeiffer test report, what it means to have copper excess
➡️ Natural management options in copper balance