Copper

• ​aids in producing ATP, the body's main ​source of energy​
  
• helps release stored iron ​to ​​make oxygen-carrying red blood cells
  
• ​​assists in making and ​​maintaining strong connective tissues
  
• ​supports the body in wound healing
  
• helps ​strengthen bones and blood vessels
• plays a role in heart contraction
  
• ​helps antioxidant enzymes fight cancer-causing free radicals
  

• ​almonds
  
• asparagus
  
• ​avocado
• beet greens
• buckwheat
  
• ​cashews
• ​coconut
• dates
  
• ​dried fruits
• eggplant
• ​garbanzo beans
  
• ginger
  
• ​grapes
  
• green peas
  
• kiwifruit
• lentils​
• ​lima beans
  
• liver
  
• ​millet
  
• ​​mushrooms
• ​nuts & seeds
  
• oysters
• pecans
  
• ​peanuts
  
• pineapple
  
• potato
• quinoa
  
• ​raisins
  
• ​sesame seeds
  
• ​shellfish
• soybeans
  
• spinach
  
• ​sweet potato
  
• Swiss chard
• ​white beans
  
• zucchini
  

Copper is a trace mineral that plays an important role in the production of ATP ​(adenosine triphosphate), the main source of energy within every cell of your body. Without adequate copper, the energy-producing mitochondria within the cells are unable to make ATP, leaving you with low energy.

Studies show that copper may also play a role in slowing down the aging process by decreasing the incidence of protein glycation. Protein glycation ​is when sugar molecules (fructose or glucose) attach themselves to protein molecules and bend them out of shape, ​making them unusable. Protein glycation can cause high cholesterol, ​heart problems, bone loss, blindness (especially in people with diabetes), and other health issues.

​Copper also helps the body utilize iron properly, which helps reduce anemia. Anemia can occur from a ​low red blood-cell count in the body​ causing reduced oxygen flow to the organs, which can result in fatigue.

​The absorption of copper can be greatly reduced when there are high levels of zinc and calcium in the blood​.