Copper in Human and Animal Nutrition

Copper was identified as an essential human dietary element approximately 65 years ago (120). Copper is a required catalytic cofactor of selective oxidoreductases and is important for ATP synthesis, normal brain development and neurological function, immune system integrity, cardiovascular health, and bone density in elderly adults (120). Animals and humans exploit copper by cycling the element between the oxidized cupric ion and the reduced cuprous ion for single-electron transfer reactions (120). Because free or loosely bound copper has the potential to generate free radicals capable of causing tissue pathology, organisms have developed sophisticated mechanisms for its orderly acquisition, distribution, use, and excretion (120).