Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 41 : Copper

Effects of Deficiency

Copper is essential for normal development of bones, the central nervous system and connective tissue.

• Copper deficiency produces marked skeletal changes leading to osteoporosis and spontaneous fractures.
• Copper, like ascorbic acid is necessary for the functional activity of osteoblasts.
• A copper containing enzyme (ceruloplasmin) plays an important role in connective tissue metabolism, specifically in the oxidation of E-amino group of lysine into aldehyde group which is necessary for cross linkage of the polypeptide chains of elastin and collagen.
• One of the most dramatic signs of copper deficiency is the massive internal haemorrhage which result from the spontaneous rupture of a major vessel such as aorta.

Copper deficiency may result in

Anaemia due to copper deficiency has not been reported in adults. All medicinal iron preparations contain traces of copper. Infants, especially those who are born premature, may develop copper deficiency, characterized by chronic diarrhoea and later develops into anaemia which does not respond to iron. Copper deficiency has been reported in protein energy malnutrition.