Copper...of Riches and Skincare

Used throughout, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Asia, the ancients had a great love affair with Copper. Great leaders wore crowns of copper and ceremonial vessles were adorned with the metal. As one of the oldest metals used and cherished by humans, many referred to copper as the metal of healing and the metal of love.

Our ancestors had keen insight. As the adage states, the ancients were 'right on the money’ or perhaps we might say ‘right on the copper coin’.

Copper and Health

Sadly, when the medical communities and testing labs make an essential discovery, it may take years before the official health guidelines catch up with the scientific research. It is because of this that copper, an absolutely essential element for human health, has only recently started to attract the attention of nutrition gurus. Still today, not many people know that they are at risk of copper deficiency which may put them in danger of many illnesses, not to mention accelerated aging of skin and hair.

The slow process of recognizing the importance of copper was best highlighted by Dr. Leslie Klevay. In his paper published in 1996 [“Deliberations and evaluations of the approaches, endpoints and paradigms for dietary recommendations about copper”, Klevay & Medeiros 1996]. He reviewed 10 editions of the Recommended Daily Allowances (a.k.a. RDAs) guideline and observed that in the 1943 editiron the recommended daily amount of copper was estimated at 1-2 mg/day, and in a 1958 edition, it was stated that “2 mg/day will maintain adults in balance”. Interestingly enough, in the 1989 it was reported that an average intake of copper was 1.2 mg/day for males and only 0.9 mg/day for females—a statistic well below the recommended 2mg/day.

In this same edition it was also stated that copper intake as high as 3 mg/day may be necessary to maintain good health. The current RDI (Recommended Dietary Intake established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for copper is 2 mg/day.

What does it all mean?

Copper is an essential metal necessary for many processes in the human body. A deficiency in copper can contribute to a boat load of health problems, including a higher rate of: cellular oxidation, some cancers, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, “bad cholesterol”, lipid oxidation, aortic aneurysms, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic conditions involving bone and connective tissue, brain defects in newborns, obesity, graying of hair, sensitivity to pain, Alzheimer’s disease, reproductive problems, depression, and fatigue; as well as lowering HDL “good cholesterol”, reduction in the pleasure producing brain enkephalins, and impaired brain function. By now means am I saying to go out and start supplementing your diet with Copper. But perhaps a nudge to your own PCP is suggested.

The Copper Chemical Body Balance

Our bodies constantly transform chemical substances into another substance, using and releasing energy, breaking down and rebuilding biological compounds. Our individual well-being completely depends on the delicate chemical balance within our cells. The same principle holds true for our beauty.

Let me give you an example, production of the most important proteins in our skin (collagen and elastin) occurs through a series of chemical reactions. The majority of chemical reactions in our cells cannot occur spontaneously on their own. In order to maintain this balance and order within the cells, our body uses special molecules that carefully guide every substance through its precise chemical transformation. These guides are refereed to as "enzymes".

There is a special enzyme for each and every biological reaction. Many of them are not active by themselves but require metal ions in order to function.

Is there enough Copper in YOUR Diet?

Many Americans prefer meat over all other protein sources. However, meats (with the exception of organ meats) are rich in zinc but low in copper.

So those of us who consume muscle meat as opposed to organ meat and who do not consume enough legumes and seafood, may also develop copper deficiency.

Another factor that can lower copper is the high consumption of fructose, sucrose and other refined sugars If you have a sweet tooth or regularly consume soda that is usually high on sugar, you may need more copper in your diet!

But the most evident fact is that many Americans today drink bottled water or soda instead of natural well or spring water, thus cutting themselves from another source of dietary copper!!

The long-lived people who reside high in mountain valleys about 2000 meters above sea level enjoy copper-rich water from natural glaciers. They are living testaments to the health benefits of copper. many indigenous cultures of the world all have diverse diets but drink the same hard water from wells, ‘icy blue’ glaciers and streams which contains high mineral content. Interestingly enough, in all of these regions, the lifespan and health of the elderly is extraordinary with many people well over 100! In contrast, regions with soft water that is low in minerals experience high rates of cancer and heart disease. In the past, many physicians would send their patients to sanatoriums where they drank mineral water and also bathed in it. There are STILL several Mineral Bath locations throughout Arizona.

What does a Copper Deficiency Mean to Your Skin?

Collagen is the protein in our skin that maintains the suppleness, firmness and resilience of your skin. Faulty collagen leads to wrinkles, sagging and loose skin. There is no other way to remove wrinkles and tighten skin except through the stimulation and restoration of collagen synthesis. In order to do this, we need special enzymes that build collagen. One of those enzymes is lysyl oxidase—an enzyme that absolutely depends on copper. Those who are deficient in copper show multiple connective tissue abnormalities, including rupture and aneurism of major blood vessels due to defective collagen.Studies have shown

So what should this mean to you personally? Well, if you do not consume enough copper rich foods and do not take copper supplements and indulge in sweets and soda (Both regular and diet) your skin may be at risk of accelerated aging. "Glycation" as it is called can make your skin protein stiff and brittle, contributing to wrinkles and other signs of aging. As you restore your internal copper supply, it is very important to use copper peptide products on your skin.

Estheceuticals and Angel M. Brant, Aesthetics...What's Best for My Clients

For many years I have watched ingredients become a very important tool for sales. I have also watched many sales people without knowledge of aesthetics and skincare push products into the mainstream skincare arena usign ingredients as buzzwords just HOPING consumers would never really figure out that these products were either a rip off or useless. This is what directed me to using Estheceuticals....

Estheceuticals is a physician directed company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. I received MicroNeedling training from Krissy Groop and her husband Dr. Larry Groop using the Estheceticals line. They are adamant in their belief that " In order to beautify the skin, we have selected research supported active ingredients while avoiding ingredients that rely on unsupported marketing hype."

Their HA-Cu serum is my answer to those who choose the need for a serum with Copper and Native Hylauronic Acid as ingredients. Here is the link to the product:

http://skinstylus-estheceuticals.com/product/new-ha-cu-serum/

Estheceuticals will be available at my location beginning in June.

I would suggest futher studying Copper for those of you who are interested in the science behind minerals and skincare. In the end, we all want what is best for our skin.

Stay Blessed, Be Pono and Always Remember to Pay it Forward...

Angel

^j^