Copper toxicity is rare. Occasional toxic levels of copper have resulted from drinking out of copper cups or from high levels in drinking water. The RDA for adults for copper is under one milligram. Just 30 milligrams of copper sulfate can be fatal. Copper in drinking water should be limited to well under two milligrams per liter.
The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for children one to three years of age is 1 mg. For children four to eight years of age it is 3 mg. For older children the UL is 5 mg. For adolescents the UL is 8 mg and for adults the UL is 10 mg. Excess copper can inhibit the production of red blood cells. Long-term intake of copper over 10 milligrams daily has resulted in liver damage.
A rare inherited trait called Wilson’s disease can result in an accumulation of copper in the body. Wilson’s disease affects about one person in 30,000. The liver and the nervous system can become affected. To summarize, copper has four important roles in the body. Copper helps with energy production, collagen synthesis, iron transport, and it catalyzes antioxidant activity. A little copper is needed, while too much copper is toxic.
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