Copper Detox

It is crucial that one knows how to detox copper from the body appropriately before taking action because the wrong steps can actually exacerbate the condition.

Additionally, it is also vital to be aware that one may feel worse before they feel better when detoxing from copper toxicity. As the copper is mobilized and exits through the detoxification channels it can produce a wide variety of symptoms like headaches, racing thoughts, skin conditions, mood swings, impaired digestion, and increased fatigue. If symptoms are severe, then one may need to slow down the process.
Again, one should be under the care of a knowledgeable physician before and during detoxing for copper.

1. The first and most important step for reducing elevated copper levels is to eliminate the source. Identify where the excess copper is coming from and get rid of it.

2. Think Zinc. As we mentioned earlier, zinc and copper have an intimate symbiotic relationship. The supplementation of zinc alone can often bring copper levels into balance. After the elimination of the source, this is the first and most important step in the copper detox process. You might want to note, that when possible, zinc monomethionine is a more potent form of zinc. Zinc is what removes excess copper in the body most naturally and efficiently.

3. Increase other copper antagonists, which include molybdenum, sulfur, manganese, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin C, and E.

4. Drink lots of water to keep the copper moving.

5. Saunas, steam baths or anything that increases sweating will be helpful.

6. Coffee enemas or plain water enemas can also be helpful in elimination.

7. Enhance the egress points of elimination in the body, which include, the skin, liver, kidneys, and colon.

8. Reduce or avoid foods high in copper. Most foods contain some level copper, however, the following list contains the highest levels:

    chocolate
    shrimp
    lobster
    wheat
    coffee
    soybeans
    cashews
    garbanzos
    avocados
    leafy greens
    coconut
    sunflower seeds
    sesame seeds
    organ meats like liver

9. Eat more foods that are high in zinc, which include:

    Beef
    Buffalo
    Lamb
    Chicken
    Venison
    Eggs
    Pumpkin seeds

(Meat must be grass-fed and free-range to avoid growth hormones and antibiotics and for proper omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio.)

10. Epsom salt baths. Epsom salt pulls out heavy metals.

11. Don’t be a vegetarian. Being a vegetarian increases your chances of copper toxicity and makes it impossible to overcome because it is so high in copper and low in zinc. Eat a primal diet.

12. Address adrenal health.

13. Practice deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, Qigong or other similar techniques to turn off the overstimulated sympathetic nervous system and enhance copper detox. These practices will also help decrease stress which is also important for improving the health of the adrenal glands.

14. Get physical exercise. Mild and gentle, not excessive.

15. Chlorella supplementation can be helpful. Cilantro may also be used, but it must not be used until later in the copper detox process after all other steps have been taken, as it can drive the metal even deeper if used too soon.

16. Identify whether methylation is an issue for you and address accordingly. One of the best sources to learn about methylation is in a book called, Autism: Pathways for Recovery by Dr. Amy Yasko.

Synthetic chelators, like Penicillamine, may be called for in some extreme cases, but copper can usually be reduced more effectively, gently and safely without the use of synthetic chelators. Penicillamine is associated with a variety of side effects like liver and kidney damage, blurred vision and ringing in the ears.