Since copper overload is one of the most common trends we observe, let me spend a moment to update you on this epidemic. Please note that high estrogen levels or the use of the Pill, estrogen replacement therapy (yes, even the bio-identical kind), or a copper IUD are strong risk factors for developing copper excess.

Estrogen and copper levels go hand in hand in the body; as the level of one rises, the level of the other tends to rise, too. High copper levels diminish liver function and a healthy liver is needed to break down estrogen each month to prevent estrogen buildup; high estrogen levels also diminsh liver function, and a healthy liver is needed to excrete excess copper and prevent copper buildup. If you are on the Pill or estrogen replacement therapy, or if you use a copper IUD, I urge you to have your levels checked and avoid excessive copper sources in the diet.

(This is why, by the way, such trendy dietary staples like chocolate, soy, and tea are limited or eliminated on Fat Flush.)

Migraine headaches, hyperactivity, panic attacks, mood swings, depression, PMS, skin problems, and hair loss are ALL related to copper excess. A high mercury level in the hair or blood is usually a sign of hidden copper as well.

Frequent colds and flus, slow wound healing, lack of taste or appetite, and white spots on fingernails are all typical signs of zinc deficiency, a common factor that leads to the development of copper overload.

Females between 30 and 50 years of age typically have high copper levels or low zinc to copper ratios about five times more often tham males of the same age for some reason.

What to do?

Get your TMA (hair analysis) done to monitor your progress on a yearly level – more often if levels are sky high like mine. Cut out those copper-containing foods (crab and lobster and oysters are very high 🙁 wouldn’t you know and eat more lamb, beef, poultry, and white-meat fish.

Check your vitamins for extra copper. Consider the Female Multiple instead, which is a copper-free multi that was designed many years ago for us copperheads…..It is a real stand-out for post-partum depression because there is NO copper in the product 🙂

Upping your sulfur-bearing proteins in whey and special aminos like methionine can be helpful as can more Vitamin C and magnesium.

If you have done everything right but are still suffering from unresolved symptoms, now is your chance to talk with the experts.

As Dr. Michael Rosenbaum said, who wrote the Foreword to Why Am I Always So Tired? (a book all about copper), “…could fundamentally alter our approach to the treatment of chronic fatigue.”