{"id":99822,"date":"2020-03-30T16:27:24","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T23:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=99822"},"modified":"2021-11-03T02:07:19","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T09:07:19","slug":"copper-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/copper-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Copper Help Fight Coronavirus (COVID-19)?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you take zinc supplements, you need to pay extra attention to copper. Balanced copper intake supports immunity, helping to prevent infection; too little or too much copper leads to inflammation. Research also reveals that coronavirus can\u2019t survive long on copper surfaces. Find out all the reasons why copper is worth talking about amid the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

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This article is for informational purposes only. The current coronavirus outbreak is an ongoing event and certain details may change as new information comes to light. No effective or FDA-approved products are currently available for the treatment of the new coronavirus (also known as SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV), although research is still ongoing. For now, the best preventive measures you can take against COVID-19 are standard precautions, including social distancing, hand washing, and avoiding touching your face.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Is Copper Important Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace mineral. Among other roles, copper supports a healthy immune response and antioxidant defense [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Most people get enough copper and don\u2019t need to supplement. However, copper has to be balanced with zinc in the body [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Since some people are turning to zinc as an immune booster amid the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>, copper deserves special attention. If you are taking a zinc supplement, you need to make sure you are also getting enough copper to avoid deficiency.<\/p>\n

Copper is not just a dietary nutrient, it\u2019s also traditionally melted into alloys to make kitchenware, furniture, and even coins. Research shows that the new coronavirus dies faster on copper surfaces compared to materials like wood and plastic [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Together with zinc, copper supports immune function. You need balanced levels of both minerals for good health.<\/div><\/div>\n

Copper, Immunity & Inflammation<\/span><\/h2>\n

Supports Immune Health<\/span><\/h3>\n

Copper deficiency weakens the immune response. People with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of infectious diseases, and coronavirus is no exception [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

People with copper deficiency are more likely to have low neutrophils<\/a> (neutropenia), white blood cells<\/a> that help kill invading microbes [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

On the other hand, copper deficiency can over-activate neutrophils and cause them to build up in the liver, which contributes to inflammation [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Additionally, copper deficiency can disrupt immune cells called macrophages, additionally increasing susceptibility to bacterial infections [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Copper deficiency can lower blood cells that help the body fight off infections.<\/div><\/div>\n

Mixed Effects on Inflammation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Inflammatory mediators called cytokines<\/em> are a double-edged sword in COVID-19 [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

By boosting the immune system, cytokines might reduce susceptibility to infection or help fight the virus off in the early stages.<\/p>\n

However, coronavirus can hijack the immune system, sending it into overdrive. In severe COVID-19, mass-produced cytokines wreak widespread inflammation and serious organ damage [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Overall, copper is anti-inflammatory when in balance. Both copper deficiency and excess can lead to inflammation [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Ceruloplasmin<\/strong> is a protein that carries copper in the blood. It might alter the effects of copper supplementation on immunity and inflammation [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In a study of 33 volunteers, copper supplements increased IL-2<\/a> in people with normal-low ceruloplasmin. IL-2 is an immune-stimulating compound that belongs to the cytokine family; it helps balance the immune system, increasing immune defense while preventing autoimmunity [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Importantly, copper supplements don\u2019t seem to affect TNF-alpha<\/a>, a different purely inflammatory cytokine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Too much copper can have the opposite effect. High copper levels may increase the production of free radicals, which results in tissue damage and inflammation [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

The impact of copper supplements on inflammation in COVID-19 has yet to be explored.<\/p>\n

Adequate copper intake likely reduces inflammation, but too much copper can do the opposite.<\/div><\/div>\n

Can Copper Directly Fight Coronavirus?<\/span><\/h2>\n

During cholera epidemics in the 19th century, scientists observed that workers exposed to copper salts did not develop cholera [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Later on, many studies explored the potent antimicrobial properties of copper<\/strong>. Nowadays, copper is used as a \u201cbiocide\u201d in agriculture, wood preservation, paints, and in hospitals (R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Activity Against Coronaviruses<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to one cell-based study, ionic copper may weakly block papain-like protease-2<\/em>,<\/strong> a protein that SARS-CoV requires to multiply. Ionic zinc can also block this protein, but at much lower levels than copper [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS\u2010CoV) was first identified in 2003. It is different from the new coronavirus that is behind the current pandemic [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

It’s theoretically possible that copper may target the same proteins in the new coronavirus, but this has yet to be tested.<\/p>\n

Copper might also turn out to be a great material for hospital equipment and surfaces<\/strong>. On surfaces made from alloys of copper, silver, and aluminum, SARS-CoV survives for less than five minutes. In comparison, most coronaviruses survive for 4-9 days on other surfaces like glass, plastic, Teflon, wood, and stainless steel [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

How does the new coronavirus hold up?<\/p>\n

A recent study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 (the new coronavirus) is more resilient, but it\u2019s not resistant to copper. The virus was detectable for up to 4 hours on copper surfaces<\/strong>, which is pretty good compared to other materials. For example, the new coronavirus was detected for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 2 to 3 days on plastic and stainless steel [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Another coronavirus strain that rarely causes serious infections (human coronavirus 229E) is much more sensitive: it dies in under 30 minutes on materials that contain at least 70% copper. Increasing copper concentrations seem to kill it even faster. Scientists suspect that copper triggers extreme oxidative stress in the virus, causing it to die off [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Brass is another promising material. It is an alloy of zinc and copper that seems to be effective even though it\u2019s lower in copper. Researchers point out that zinc alone hardly had any effect, suggesting that it only boosts the effects of copper when coronavirus comes into contact with it on inanimate surfaces [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Copper-based materials are no new technology. People around the world have long used copper vessels for cooking and water storage. Copperware has fallen out of favor in modern times, but it might see a huge revival as new coronavirus research comes out.<\/p>\n

However, findings about copper alloys can\u2019t be applied to copper supplements and the human body. The amount and type of copper needed to kill coronavirus in the mouth, throat, and lungs are unknown. It may well be above the safe levels humans can tolerate.<\/p>\n

Coronaviruses seem to die faster when they come into contact with alloys that are high in copper. Scientists say copper might quickly kill viruses on surfaces by triggering oxidative stress.<\/div><\/div>\n

Copper, Chronic Diseases & Coronavirus<\/span><\/h2>\n

Chronic diseases — particularly heart disease, lung diseases, and diabetes — are big risk factors for COVID-19 complications and death [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an overview of how copper may affect some of these systems in the body:<\/p>\n