E61: Deficiency of other nutrient elements

E61.0: Copper deficiency

Copper is important for the body. Copper is a component of many proteins. These proteins help prepare energy in the body. Furthermore, copper regulates the absorption of iron into the body. Iron is absorbed in the body’s small intestine and is important for the formation of the red blood pigment. The red blood pigment transports oxygen from the lungs to the entire body.

With a copper deficiency, you may have too little red blood pigment. In that case, the proteins may also no longer work well. If you have a copper deficiency, your performance will thus often suffer. If there is far too little copper in the body, it may moreover damage the nerves. You may be consuming insufficient copper with your food. It is also possible that your intestines are not able to absorb the copper into your body.

Copper is contained especially in meat, nuts, beans and cereal. If you greatly exert yourself physically or exercise a lot, your body needs more copper than might otherwise be the case.