Copper recommended daily Intake

Stable isotopes of iron zinc and copper have been given to subjects in a variety of studies at our Center Standard doses were 4 nig Fe> 4 mg Zn and 2 mg of Cu for adult subjects Isotopes were fed in a single dose in juice at breakfast or in Trutol (a flavored glucose solution) While doses of this size are not truly tracer doses they are in the physiological range of intake Recommended daily intakes are 10 mg Fe 15 mg Zn and 2- 3 mg Cu for adult males (11) Table II shows the average absorption values obtained from subjects who were consuming diets adequate in all minerals and other dietary components ... 

Since the zinc-copper ratio is important, intake of too much zinc can lead to symptoms of copper deficiency. However, patients have taken 10 times the recommended daily allowance for zinc with no adverse reaction. 

Unfortunately, there are no modern-day uses of copper complexes for this purpose. It is likely that copper complexes representing less than the amounts of copper recommended as safe daily intakes will eventually be found to be useful in successfully treating human seizure states. 

RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE OF COPPER. The estimated copper requirement of man is based on balance studies. On the basis of such studies, and in order to allow for a margin of safety, the National Academy of Sciences- National Research Council, recommends a daily copper intake of 1.5 to 3 mg for adults. The requirement for infants and children has been estimated at between 0.4 and 2.0 mg per day. It is emphasized, however, that intake of copper at this level may be too low for the premature infant, who is always born with low copper reserves. It is suggested that infant bottle formulas contain sufficient copper to furnish 100 micrograms/kg of body weight per day. 

The Tolerable Upper Intake Limit (UL) for adults is 10 mg daily, based on degree of liver damage associated with intake. UL for children vary with age 1-3 years/1 mg daily, 4—8 years/3 mg daily, 9-13 years/ 5 mg daily, 14—18years/8mg daily (irrespective of pregnancy or lactation status). UL for children imder the age of 1 year are not possible to establish. There are no official recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for copper in children. The RDA for adult males and females is a daily intake of 0.9 mg. Measurements of the dietary requirements for copper in adult men have shovm the requirement to range from about 1.0 to 1.6 mg daily. A review of nutrient intakes in the US from 1909 to 1994 confirms... 

Humans given zinc supplements should be aware of possible complications (Fosmire 1990). Low intakes of 100 to 300 mg of zinc daily in excess of the recommended dietary allowance of 15 mg Zn daily may produce induced copper deficiency, impaired immune function, and disrupted blood lipid profiles. Patients treated with zinc supplements (150 mg daily) to control sickle cell anemia and nonresponsive celiac disease developed a severe copper deficiency in 13 to 23 months normal copper status was restored by cessation of zinc supplements and increased dietary copper (Fosmire 1990). 

Sources Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Huoride (1997) Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin 85, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline (1998) EHetary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids (2000) Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc (2001) Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate (2005) and EHetary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D (2011). These reports may be accessed via www.nap.edu A Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. Unless otherwise specified, the UL represents total intake from food, water, and supplements. Due to a lack of suitable data, ULs could not be established for vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and carotenoids. In the absence of a UL, extra caution may be warranted in consuming levels above recommended intakes. Members of the general population should be advised not to routinely exceed the UL. The UL is not meant to ply to individuals who are treated with the nutrient under medical supervision or to individuals with predisposing conditions that modify their sensitivity to the nutrient... 

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