An inordinate number of children with autism have an excess of copper stored in tissues. Women tend to have copper levels 1/3 higher than men, making them more susceptible to copper toxicity. This is because “The Pill” often has copper in it and IUDs are copper. At one laboratory, it is reported that more than 50% of all hair samples show a copper imbalance. This copper is unbound with protein (ceruloplasmin), and thus, unavailable for normal uses, including its use as an antifungal to fight Candida. Most copper is bound to ceruloplasmin, but MT proteins can serve as a temporary storage site in the presence of excessive amounts of copper. Once the MT proteins bind copper, they are unable to bind zinc and become disabled. Dr. Wm. Walsh reports that only 10% of copper is normally unbound, but in children with autism, this often runs as high as 40% unbound! Unbound copper, like unbound iron, is a disaster of free radical damage, calling for the best antioxidant combination that you can find, Ambrotose AO!
“We have measured serum copper, serum ceruloplasmin, and plasma zinc for more than 2,000 of our 3,300 autistic patients. More than 95% exhibit a copper overload that usually is quite extreme. In autism, the problem with copper is overload, not deficiency. We’ve measured the blood levels after treatment in thousands of these patients, and the copper elevations are slow to correct, even with aggressive zinc therapy. Copper supervision in the body occurs in intestinal mucosa through the action of metallothionein. Since the MT system is AWOL in autism, it’s not surprising that copper overload is prevalent in ASD. We believe the best way to correct this serious metal metabolism problem is to normalize MT levels in intestinal mucosa and the blood-brain barrier.” Email from Dr. Wm. Walsh, December 14, 2003.
In one long-term study, the U.S. Army found that the immunized group had depressed serum iron and elevated serum copper. When inflammation rises, iron levels fall and copper levels rise. Inflammation is the cause of almost all chronic conditions, including Autism. Aggressively address all infection and inflammation. CLO is an effective way as is the use of a bromelain supplement.
These “Copperheads” have very active minds, but the excess copper causes GI disturbances, impaired protein metabolism—causing a weakness of protein structures by interfering with the cross-linking process (one effect being breakage or leakage of capillaries that may cause small strokes and/or a dangerous aneurysm in vein or artery—also a symptom of too little copper), salivation, acne, a metallic taste, dizziness, headache—including migraine, loss of appetite (underweight), no desire for the zinc of red meat (yet an inordinate desire for chocolate, avocados, soy, or carob that are very high in copper), anxiety, various female difficulties, severe fatigue—even after adequate rest, detachment from reality termed spaciness, alternating moods, panic, fearfulness, schizophrenia, phobias, and weakness. Excess copper also raises sodium and lowers potassium and manganese tissue levels. Excess copper, by displacing zinc and manganese, is often associated with thyroid and pancreatic dysfunction. Pro-oxidant copper ions affect glutathione distribution in several ways. Jaundice and high bilirubin levels are signs of copper toxicity, as are earaches and ear infections. When inflammation rises, your iron level falls and copper level rises.
Some people with high copper dislike all protein. They crave high-carbohydrate diets, and don’t like water. Copper-toxic individuals may be drawn to sweets or salty foods due to adrenal insufficiency. Some sea salt is often beneficial. Sweets, including fruit juices, provide a temporary lift, but may worsen the condition. Protein feels heavy, or causes other symptoms. Eating protein stimulates glandular activity that releases stored copper, which causes the symptoms. These individuals usually need to eat protein. The taste for meat often returns when copper is brought into better balance.
Additionally, copper imbalance (both excess and deficiency) can contribute to heavy metal poisoning by slowing the rate of metabolism (slowing the thyroid), reducing the body’s ability to detoxify heavy metals. Severe cases cause hypertension, liver damage, kidney failure, and death. In schizophrenia, there is found increased levels of copper and mercury and reduced levels of zinc, magnesium, and calcium that are known to be inhibited by heavy metals and to affect neurotransmitter levels.
Citrus fruit increases intestinal absorption of copper, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) binds and transports it, however, large amounts of vitamin C, with vitamin B6 and zinc, will remove the excess copper from the brain. These should be combined with manganese in a 3:1 zinc/manganese ratio, as a prolonged zinc therapy can result in manganese deficiency. These supplements will favorably influence the emotional and psychological symptoms listed. Before undertaking this, one should have a hair test to determine the zinc/copper status. However, caution is urged in the interpretation as animal studies show that reduced dietar0y zinc leads at first to low zinc levels in the hair, but when zinc depletion continues, values seem to return to the normal range, presumably because reduced hair growth resulting from impaired protein synthesis leads to a compensating increase in concentrations of zinc and other elements in the hair as it grows.
Dr. Wm. Walsh in an Email stated, “I learned that extremely elevated sulfur in a hair analysis is a tell-tale sign of an improper sample, cross-contamination, or some other factor which results in crazy, meaningless values. The first element I look for in a hair analysis is sulfur. If the values are extremely high or low, I don’t waste my time studying any of the data. It’s usually worthless. Another telltale sign of a worthless analysis is very high levels of chromium, nickel, strontium, and iron in the same sample. A surprisingly high percentage of hair analysis results are meaningless, usually because an improper sample was submitted to the lab. It takes a lot of experience to spot the bad ones. Bob Smith of Great Smokies Lab is probably the best person in the world at identifying contaminated samples.”
Major contributing factors to this excess copper is the use of birth-control pills (depletes zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6), copper intra-uterine devices, antibiotic therapy, stress, Candida overgrowth, and strict vegetarian and refined food diets that are deficient in zinc. Certain food dyes and colorings have a high hydrazine content that causes zinc depletion. Excess copper can be from swimming pools and Jacuzzis using copper sulfate for algae control. Foods rich in copper include nuts, soy, avocado, chocolate, and carob. Persons with the Cu/Zn chemical imbalance need to be vigilant in limiting sources of copper. When dumping copper (when stress and or estrogen levels are high), there will be increased levels of insomnia and depression, skin rashes, anxiety, fatigue, headache (usually migraine), digestive disorders, abdominal bloating, and a flare-up of a wide variety of chronic conditions listed above, such as hypoglycemia and Candida yeast overgrowth, including vaginal yeast infections. A hallmark is the feeling that no one understands them. These reactions usually last a couple of days, and then subside to their chronic levels again. Redness or red tints to the hair is also an indicator of a copperhead. Additionally, high estrogen levels from high intake of soy, flax, or other sources (such as fat cells and increased aromatase production) increases levels of a protein called thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) that binds to thyroid hormone in the blood, preventing it from entering cells! The Pill, HRT, pesticides, cadmium, and other sources of estrogen are producing hypothyroidism! (Dr. Whitaker’s Health and Healing, Sept 2003).
Estrogen causes calories to be turned into fat, and the fat cells then produce more estrogen. So, when symptoms of hypothyroidism are present, high estrogen levels could be the cause. To counter this effect of estrogen, topical progesterone is recommended. Low progesterone in women between the ages of 30 and 50 may lead to autoimmune hypothyroidism, or Hashimoto’s disease, as a consequence of immune stimulation by the dominant estrogen. Stress may have the same effect on mitochondria. To improve mitochondrial function, supplement Acetyl L-carnitine, CoQ10, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. This improves liver and gall bladder function also. (Dr. Raphael Kellman, Sept 2004 Life Extension).
There has been a lot of controversy over estrogen replacement causing breast cancer, stroke, and, cardiovascular disease. Dr. Jonathan Wright reports that a recently published study showed that real human progesterone and estrogen didn’t cause any of these problems, and horse estrogen didn’t either. When it comes to breast and vascular problems estrogen isn’t dangerous, progestin (Provera™, Prempro™) is!
Dr. Schmitt says that, in his opinion, rashes are a sign of excessive copper working itself out of the system. Unavailable, excess copper is one of the normal clinical findings for people with Candida infections. The problems may not be due to copper toxicity, but rather with its interference with the absorption and distribution of other metals such as iron (which cannot be absorbed without available copper—fortifying iron will not help, but will actually make the anemia worse) and zinc.
The distressing symptoms of copper toxicity are often due to both dietary and stress-induced zinc deficiency, not an excess of copper. Adrenal insufficiency prevents synthesis of ceruloplasmin, necessary to utilization of copper (and many of these kids are adrenal deficient). When unbound with ceruloplasmin, copper begins to accumulate in tissues and organs. It is the zn/cu ratio that counts. The ideal zinc-copper ratio is 8:1. If below 6:1 (hair), one should consider the above symptoms to be copper toxicity. The principal reason for copper toxicity is adrenal insufficiency (in 70 to 80%) resulting largely from stress, leading to a deficiency of zinc (imbalancing the ratio with copper), sodium, manganese, pantothenic acid, inositol, folic acid, rutin, and vitamins A, B1, B6, C, and E. The adrenals are strengthened and copper absorption and utilization are increased by supplementing adrenal glandular, molybdenum, iron, sulfur, niacin, inositol (as Inositol Hexaniacinate), choline, and the above listed nutrients, including extra biotin and PABA. Additionally, lead and mercury interfere with the synthesis of ceruloplasmin and ferritin contributing to copper and iron toxicity. It is important to learn to cope with stress in order to spare the adrenals and to reduce the loss of zinc. Supplementing 200 mcg of chromium has been shown to reduce cortisol levels by 47%! Magnesium, melatonin, vitamin C, and pantothenic acid further reduce this deadly hormone. A 45-minute massage (backrub?) showed a similar reduction. The practice of a relaxation-meditation exercise would be similarly effective. Maintaining a positive expectation would work, as would strong religious faith, and an expectation of sustaining help from the Lord. This will reduce loss of zinc, and help to prevent the buildup of excessive copper in tissues. Supplement the diet with 20 mg zinc daily, and with up to 60 mg of zinc during any acute, disease state or other severe stress, along with the other supplements mentioned. Where the excess copper is non-bioavailable, it may be necessary to supplement a small amount of copper to enable the body to produce the ceruloplasmin that is necessary to the bioavailability of copper.
Copper deficiency predisposes to molybdenum excess.
Significantly elevated moly is unusual, and some toxic effects are due to
displacement of copper or inactivation of copper enzymes. Copper enzymes
form vital neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. The
brain, other than the cerebellum and hypothalamus, has these transmitters
decreased 30% to 60% in various sectors by a copper deficiency [Feller
1983]. Neutropenia is the earliest symptom in copper deficient babies
[Cordano, et al]. The immune system is very sensitive to adequate copper
[Prohaska & Lukaseqycz ]. Copper deficient mice have lower number of
antibody cells even though the spleen weight is greater [Prohaska &
Lukasewicz]. Rats were fed diets deficient in copper for 35 days. This
resulted in a significant increase in serum cholesterol levels and a
significant decline in plasma thyroxine concentrations and body
temperatures. Compared with rats fed the adequate diet, those fed the
marginal and deficient diets had significantly lower plasma concentrations
of triiodothyronine (T3) and significantly higher TSH levels. The activity
of thyroxine 5’-monodeiodinase (the enzyme that converts T4 to T3) was
reduced in the liver and brown adipose tissue of copper deficient rats.
Copper deficiency is rampant in the
If suffering from high copper levels, avoid high copper foods: soy, avocado, chocolate, nuts, and seeds, and all things that raise copper tissue levels such as copper IUDs, birth control pills, antibiotics, and foods with high content of phytoestrogens (soy and flax). Some children do a lot more stimming when using soy. Unfortunately, copper sulfate is added to some city water supplies, and to swimming pools, as a fungicide. Unfortunately, also, the Mother may transmit her copper/zinc imbalances to her unborn child.
Excess copper depletes zinc and vitamins B6 and C, and a zinc deficiency results in impaired absorption of folic acid and also hinders the liver from releasing vitamin A. The best way to overcome copper toxicity is to rebuild the adrenals, as listed above, and to supplement significantly vitamins B6 and C, chromium and zinc. Large amounts of these will excrete the copper. Unless tests show the copper to be extremely high, our purpose is not so much to excrete it, but to make it bio-available so the body can use it rather than store it. Attempts to reduce copper levels will likely precipitate a copper dump and a flare up of symptoms including depression. One already suffering depression should attempt to lower copper levels only under a Doctor’s guidance. These symptoms signal a beneficial elimination of excess copper, and are indications of a healing process, and though uncomfortable, should be welcomed. Some, however, cannot tolerate the symptoms, and should reduce the amounts of the supplements, or should skip a day or two and begin again at lower amounts, or should take the supplements only once a day. Do whatever is necessary to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms to bearable levels, but do not cease the program if you desire to regain optimal health.
Sometimes, one will feel really good for a few days before the dump, with its discomfort and changing moods, hits. When the dump occurs, the individual will begin to feel hopeless, and will often go off their supplement program. This is a very grave mistake. While these symptoms may appear to be related to the supplement program, as often as not, they are caused by stress or a coming menstrual period. Any stress, physical or emotional, results in a necessary increase in metabolic rate. This frequently results in a dump of excess copper into the blood. Since an increase in one’s metabolic rate will cause a flare-up in symptoms, it becomes desirable to temporarily slow one’s rate of metabolism. This is accomplished by increasing one’s calcium intake, which also avoids a copper-induced calcium deficiency. One should also increase dietary fat intake 25-30% using Evening Primrose oil, cod-liver oil, salad oils, cooking oils, and where permissible, dairy products. Slowing one’s rate of metabolism is definitely of value in reducing the symptoms associated with copper toxicity. When the symptoms are once again under control, it is time to resume the original nutritional program. To slow the metabolism indefinitely, especially through a high intake of dairy, would result in increased storage of copper and a likely weight gain.
How does this all manifest in autism? Copper toxicity is associated with symptoms of mind racing (commonly seen in ADHD) due to enhanced activity of the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin resulting in inability to stop thoughts. Elsewhere in this paper, see how to reduce these transmitters. Common problems will be loss of appetite, failure to eat protein, failure to thrive, insomnia, getting up in the middle of the night jumping and stimulating the metabolism, resistance to drinking water, and headache. This constant, self-stimulation is to enhance the metabolic rate by stimulating the burned-out adrenals. They are tired, and yet will compulsively do anything to stimulate the adrenals and make themselves feel more normal. This “stimming” raises the blood sugar, and may allow them to get back to sleep eventually. This activity further drains the adrenals, however, leading to complete adrenal exhaustion unless something is done to support the adrenals. Copper and mercury being elevated usually means not enough bile and glutathione are being made by the liver. One of the roles of bile is to help excretion of toxins and metals, but fiber in the gut is needed to bind the bile leading to excretion rather than reabsorption, so a low fiber diet hinders this process. Taking milk thistle extract, taurine, glycine, and ensuring adequate fiber intake can improve the situation.