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Copper Gluconate

Copper gluconate is a form of the trace mineral copper that is most often used in copper supplements. Copper is also the third most common trace mineral in the body, yet most people, Westerners especially usually have a lack of this vital nutrient in their diets. It is vital to the body and serves many functions.

It is needed, for example to help maintain healthy skin, hair color, bone health, even to the formation of red blood cells. Copper gluconate is readily absorbable in the body as opposed to cupric oxide, which is a lower grade copper that isn't easily absorbed.

About Copper Gluconate: Benefits & Functions of Copper

Info about copper gluconate wouldn't be complete without discussion as to what are its key functions and benefits in the body. Specifically, copper gluconate may help:
  • One of its key functions is to serve as a vital component of proteins and many enzymes, copper helps the body function in many ways. It is a necessary precursor to a powerful antioxidant within the system superoxide dismutase. It therefore has antioxidant capabilities.
  • Help alleviate rheumatoid arthritis. It is a anti-inflammatory with actions that help reduce arthritis symptoms. An old folk remedy said if one wore a copper bracelet, its absorption through the skin would help. Ingesting copper supplements is better.
  • Helps promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis.
  • It helps prevent heart disease by putting off heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure
  • Some believe copper supplements help prevent hair from graying as one of the reasons hair turns gray is due to a copper deficiency.
  • Due to its antioxidant activity, it may help prevent cancer and other ailments.

Those who especially need copper gluconate include people who have a eating disorder, malnourished children, alcoholics, and those who suffer constant diarrhea. Some other benefits include helping prevent prostate disorders, and hypoglycemia. Some food sources of copper include wheat, peaches, honey, potatoes, legumes, nuts, etc.

Side Effects of Copper Supplements: Precautions about Copper Gluconate

First off, be advised any copper supplements you may have should only have the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for zinc. Zinc actually interferes with the absorption of copper in the body. Nutritionists say if the RDA is met, there shouldn't be a problem. Check with your doctor if unsure. (Taking 3 mg of copper gluconate a day is sufficient with food and supplement sources combined.)

Pregnant and/or nursing mothers should always check with their doctor before taking any supplements. Those taking prescription medication should also talk with their doctor first as supplements can interfere with over-the-counter drugs' actions and vice versa. Deficiency is rare with copper and it's usually associated with iron deficiency. The specific symptoms are anemia (lack of red blood cell production) and nervous system disorders.

How To Choose Quality Copper Supplements: Copper Supplement Tips

Finding quality supplements is difficult as there are so many dishonest companies out there literally selling hundreds and hundreds of supplements of all kinds and varieties. In order to make as informed a decision as possible, we recommend the following criteria, based on our own experience, that can help you save money as well as get the best supplement possible. Here's what to look for:

1. The supplements should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants. (These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.) Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!

2. Ensure the supplement manufacturer has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file for review by you the customer thus confirming the potency of the herbal ingredients listed on the label.

3. Ideally, make sure the supplement does not contain any fillers or additives such as sucrose (sugar), starch, gluten, silica (sand) or any other artificial colors, dyes, or flavors.

4. Look for tablets with enteric coating as this inert substance protects the vitamins from being lost in the gastric acids. Enteric coating protects the vitamins until they can dissolve in the upper intestine where they are then assimilated into the blood stream. 5. Take the vitamin or mineral of choice, in this case copper gluconate, with other vitamins and minerals as they are interdependent in their biochemistry. Take it with a full spectrum of other nutrients for maximum efficacy. 6. Make sure the http://www.nutritional-supplement-bible.com/afc/xtendlifeunisex copper supplements are copper gluconate, not cupric oxide for as mentioned, this is a lower grade copper that isn't as easily absorbed.

Info About Copper Gluconate Supplements

A New Zealand company we've discovered in our search offers GMP compliant products, and meets all the above criteria. Their scientifically formulated product not only has copper gluconate, but a full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, trace and specialty minerals, and nutrient-rich enzymes. I've been taking this supplement for more than a year now and are very happy with the results.

I've experience greater energy and improved health.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com