Copper bracelet

In human medicine, metallic copper is used in some intrauterine devices, and various copper compounds are used as emetics and to treat rheumatoid arthritis (USEPA 1980 Aaseth and Norseth 1986). Some individuals wear copper bracelets as treatment for arthritis although its therapeutic value has little support (USEPA 1980). 

The reputations of the elements continue to be shaped by folklore and received wisdom as much as by an understanding of their quantitative effects. Is aluminium, then, good in the mineral brighteners of washing powders but bad in pots and pans Copper salts can be toxic, but copper bracelets are rumoured to cure arthritis. We take selenium supplements to boost fertility, while selenium contamination of natural waters devastates Californian ecosystems. Which of us can say whether 0.01 milligrams of potassium in our bottled water is too little or too much ... 

The wearing of copper bracelets to benefit arthritis is an apocryphal use of copper. It is not clear whether any measurable amount of copper is dissolved by the body. The average weight loss from copper bracelets is 12 mg month-1 while they are worn. Studies show that components in human sweat could solubilize this metal and possibly aid its absorption. On the other hand, copper-coated intrauterine devices can lead to the dissolution of about 25-50 mg Cu per year. There are no studies to show whether this leads to chronic copper toxicity or whether there is a protective effect against... 

Explain why it is necessary to use an electric current to deposit a layer of zinc on a copper bracelet. 

What will happen to a copper bracelet that remains in contact with a solution of silver nitrate (AgN03) for several hours at room temperature ... 

Walker, Griffin and Keats, as pointed out in an earlier review, [84] have demonstrated the clinical efficacy of the copper bracelet in a single blind cross-over study. There have also been many clinical trials of Cu-Zn SOD. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of this enzyme in the treatment of inflammatory diseases has been disappointing. Its short half-life (6 min) and its inability to cross lipid cell membranes probably account for its lack of efficacy in treating arthritic and other inflammatory diseases. 

Can wearing a copper bracelet help with the symptoms of arthritis ... 

Arthritis is caused by deterioration of the cartilage in a person s joints, where deterioration happens faster than the body is able to repair it. Copper bracelets are sold based on the idea that a person may have a copper deficiency that leads to the pain in their joints, thus implying that copper from the bracelet could be absorbed through the skin to help correct the deficiency. In fact, copper deficiencies are extremely rare, and most people eat plenty of copper in their regular diet. Rarely are additional copper supplements necessary. It has not been proven that copper can be absorbed through the skin, nor has it been proven that the bracelets can help with any symptoms of arthritis or joint pain. 

Moreover, excess intake of copper can result in poisoning, so if copper can be absorbed through the skin from a bracelet, one would want to monitor their dosage carefully. It is also worth pointing out that we know of no cases of poisoning resulting from wearing copper bracelets. 

The interest in copper stems, to some degree, from the traditional use of copper bracelets to alleviate muscular pain. An investigation of the therapeutic value has been undertaken and copper uptake demonstrated [80, 81]. Up to 50 mg a month of the copper bracelet may be lost, although the average weight loss is 13 mg. The " Cu-labelled [Cu(glycinato)2] complex can perfuse intact cat skin [82], and this complex may be formed under aerobic conditions [83] ... 

The rationale for the use of zinc is that serum zinc levels are lowered in arthritis sufferers, zinc promotes wound healing, and that zinc is necessary for maintenance of some immune responses [107—109]. Some benefit has been observed but with no dramatic improvements, and efficacy is unconfirmed. Despite the logic of the arguments used for zinc, it has been classed as of unlikely benefit , along with other attempts such as acupuncture and prayer [110]. In this respect, taking heart from the traditional use of copper bracelets, we can say that the use of metals probably outdates that of prayer. 

W. R. Walker The Results of a Copper Bracelet Clinical Trial and Subsequent Studies in Ref. 65 pp. 469—482. 

---