We did the copper protocol!

[Guest guest]

Since I am a metabolic typer and have my certification in hair

analysis, I chose to put our four children and my husband and I on

this protocol because our hair analysis showed very high copper

levels.

We live in Colorado and the mountains here are copper. So our water

is high in it and we are vulnerable.

Anyhow, this is what we did:

There are four steps to reversing copper overload:

1- Reduce exposure to copper

2- Use copper anatagonists and chelating agents to inhibit copper.

absorption and to bind and remove excess copper from the body.

3- Support optimal liver function and detoxification.

4- Perhaps most important, enhance adrenal gland activity.

1. Reducing exposure to copper:

High Copper Foods to Avoid:

Soy products (soy-based protein powders, tofu, tempeh, soy sauce or

tamari, most imitation meat products, soy milk, etc.)

Wheat bran and wheat germ

Yeast

Nuts, nut butters, and seeds (exception: pumpkin seeds)

Chocolate

Dried fruits

Mushrooms

Shellfish (lobster, crab, scallops, etc.)

Organ meats such as liver

Tea

Zinc-Depleators to Avoid:

Alcohol

Coffee

Sugar

Carbohydrates in excess, especially whole grains

ZINC-RICH FOODS TO EMPHASIZE:

Eggs

Chicken

Turkey

Red meats

Wild game

Pumpkin seeds

2. Use Copper Antagonists and Chelators:

Many nutrients are antagonistic to copper and can either inhibit

absorption of copper or bind copper and remove it fromt he body. When

taken in supplement form, these copper-lowering nutrients can be used

to assist the body in reversing copper overload. Zinc, for example,

interferes with copper absorption and prevents copper accumulation.

Other nutrients are helpful in different ways: manganese and iron

displace copper from the liver; molybdenum and sulfur bind to copper

in the intestine and greatly facilitate its excretion; and vitamin

chelates copper in the blood and facilitates its removal. Vitamin B-6

and niacine also help promote reversal of copper overload.

The following food sources are especially high in one or more of

these copper antagonistic nutrients:

ZINC

Chicken

Turkey

Red meats

Wild game

Pumpkin seeds

MANGANESE

Eggs,

green leafy vegetables

Pineapple

Blueberries

IRON

Red meats

Spinach and other green leafy vegetables

Eggs

MOLYBDENUM

Dark-green vegetables

whole grains

SULFUR

Eggs

Meats

Garlic

Onions

Hot chili peppers

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels

sprouts

VITAMIN C

Bell peppers

Broccoli

Tomatoes

Citrus fruits

Strawberries

Kiwi fruit

VITAMIN B-6

Fish

Chicken

Green leafy vegetables

Brown rice

Meats

NIACIN

Turkey

Chicken

Fish

Asparagus

To determine the most appropriate supplement program for you, it's

best to have a tissue mineral analysis performed and a metabolic test

done.

3. Support Liver Function and Detoxification

The liver regulates copper metabolism and is the major site of

detoxification in the body; sluggish liver function typically is

associated with copper buildup and underlies the fatigue that's

associated with it. To encourage removal of stored copper from the

body, it's essential that you support the liver's natural ability to

detoxify. One of the main ways to do this is by eating foods and

taking natural remedies that are rich in sulfur.

Sulfur is a mineral antagonistic to copper and all heavy metals. It's

used by the body to form key amino acids, which in turm make enzymes

that are critical for detoxification. Sulfur alsi is needed to make

protein-carrier molecules that pick up and transport copper in the

body.

One of the most effective supplements found for helping individuals

recover from copper overload is alpha lipoic acid. It has been ised

effectively to treat heavy-metal toxicity in Europe. It is

particularly effective for bringing deeply stored copper out of the

tissues in cases of hidden copper overload.

There are other remedies that also can be useful for supporting liver

function and detoxification. Black radish root is a sulfur-containing

herb that stimulates bile secretion, thereby encouraging elimination

of excess copper from the system. Supplements of sulfur-containing

amino acids such as NAC and glutathione work much the same way.

The liver detoxifies all toxins, not just excess copper. One of the

best ways to enhance detoxification is to lighten the liver's

workload by limiting the body's exposure to harmful chemicals.

4. Boost Adrenal Function

Since I am a Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist, I work with io-

identical hormones and my main work is to boost adrenal function.

There are supplements out there that also enhance the adrenal glands

but I found tht the bio-identical hormones of pregnenolone, DHEA and

licorice root herb do the best job.

The Metabolic Typing diet helps you customize your food intake to

have moderate amounts of protein and fat in your diet and those are

necessary for proper adrenal function. Protein and fat provide the

building blocks needed to make hormones that allow the body to cope

with stress and thatsignal the liver to use and eliminate copper

properly. My entire family follows the MT diet. They are developing

great habits for life. I am so proud of them.

Supplements I used for my family for copper detoxification which

include four children 14-18 years old, my husband and myself include:

Alpha Lipoic Acid = 600 mg twice a day

Black Radish Root = 300 mg

NAC = 600 mg

Zinc 25 mg

Manganese 10 mg

B-6 = 200 mg

Vitamin C = 3,000 mg

B-50 Complex

Testing your water with a home water-testing kit+ American Water

Service at 800-788-4825 or www.americanwaterservice.com

I pray this helps someone out there. This is just a snapshot of this

coopper overload issue.

Blessings,

Johanne