Copper
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Copper (Cupric ion (Cu²⁺)) is a dietary supplement with 13 published peer-reviewed studies involving 4,242 participants, researched for Antioxidant Support, Connective Tissue Health, Iron Metabolism and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antioxidant Support
StrongConnective Tissue Health
ModerateIron Metabolism
ModerateCardiovascular Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antioxidant Support
To evaluate copper supplementation on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and oxidative stress.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate copper supplementation on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and oxidative stress.
Dose
3 mg/day copper as copper gluconate
Participants
68 adults with low baseline copper status
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Copper supplementation significantly increased Cu/Zn-SOD activity and reduced markers of oxidative stress including MDA and 8-isoprostane compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
Erythrocyte SOD activity, plasma MDA, urinary 8-isoprostane
The effects of different trace mineral supplementation strategies on performance, feeding behavior, health, carcass quality, and profitability of mineral deficient receiving steers
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
The effects of different trace mineral supplementation strategies on performance, feeding behavior, health, carcass quality, and profitability of mineral deficient receiving steers
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of daily supplementation with zinc, chromium, vitamin C, and copper on progression of prediabetes in Jakarta, Indonesia
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of daily supplementation with zinc, chromium, vitamin C, and copper on progression of prediabetes in Jakarta, Indonesia
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Study Protocol for a Prospective, Unicentric, Double-Blind, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of a Low-Histamine Diet and DAO Enzyme Supplementation in Patients with Histamine Intolerance
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Study Protocol for a Prospective, Unicentric, Double-Blind, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of a Low-Histamine Diet and DAO Enzyme Supplementation in Patients with Histamine Intolerance
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Nutritional Genomics: Implications for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Nutritional Genomics: Implications for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
The Impact of Minerals on Female Fertility: A Systematic Review
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
The Impact of Minerals on Female Fertility: A Systematic Review
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Effects of Perioperative Zinc Supplementation on Copper Circulating Levels and Expression of Metallothionein and Copper Antioxidant Chaperone-1 in Leukocytes in Patients Undergoing CABG Surgery
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Effects of Perioperative Zinc Supplementation on Copper Circulating Levels and Expression of Metallothionein and Copper Antioxidant Chaperone-1 in Leukocytes in Patients Undergoing CABG Surgery
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Connective Tissue Health
To summarise the role of copper in collagen and elastin cross-linking via lysyl oxidase activity.
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To summarise the role of copper in collagen and elastin cross-linking via lysyl oxidase activity.
Dose
N/A
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Copper is an essential cofactor for lysyl oxidase, which catalyses cross-linking of collagen and elastin. Copper deficiency leads to structurally weak connective tissue, poor wound healing, and vascular fragility.
How They Measured It
Biochemical review of copper-dependent enzymes in connective tissue
To assess copper supplementation on markers of bone collagen synthesis and resorption.
Study Type
Randomised, controlled trial
Purpose
To assess copper supplementation on markers of bone collagen synthesis and resorption.
Dose
3 mg/day copper
Participants
59 postmenopausal women
Duration
24 months
Results
Copper supplementation significantly reduced bone resorption markers and maintained bone mineral density compared to control. Improved lysyl oxidase activity was proposed as the mechanism.
How They Measured It
Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, urinary deoxypyridinoline, bone mineral density
Iron Metabolism
To evaluate the role of copper in iron absorption and haemoglobin synthesis.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To evaluate the role of copper in iron absorption and haemoglobin synthesis.
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple populations
Duration
Various
Results
Copper-dependent ferroxidases (ceruloplasmin and hephaestin) are essential for iron absorption and mobilisation. Copper deficiency can cause iron-deficiency-like anaemia despite adequate iron intake.
How They Measured It
Review of mechanistic and clinical studies on copper-iron interaction
To examine copper supplementation on ceruloplasmin and haematological parameters.
Study Type
Randomised, controlled trial
Purpose
To examine copper supplementation on ceruloplasmin and haematological parameters.
Dose
2 mg/day copper
Participants
80 women of childbearing age with marginal copper status
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Copper supplementation significantly increased ceruloplasmin and improved haemoglobin levels in women with marginal copper status. Results confirm the copper-iron metabolic link.
How They Measured It
Serum ceruloplasmin, haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation
Cardiovascular Health
To examine the relationship between serum copper status and cardiovascular disease risk.
Study Type
Prospective cohort
Purpose
To examine the relationship between serum copper status and cardiovascular disease risk.
Dose
Dietary copper intake assessed
Participants
4,035 men and women
Duration
12-year follow-up
Results
Higher serum copper was associated with reduced cardiovascular risk in men, though excessive copper was associated with increased risk in some analyses. Copper balance is important for cardiovascular health.
How They Measured It
Serum copper/ceruloplasmin, cardiovascular events at follow-up
To investigate copper deficiency on cardiac function and atherosclerosis in an animal model.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate copper deficiency on cardiac function and atherosclerosis in an animal model.
Dose
Copper-deficient diet
Participants
LDL-receptor knockout mice
Duration
20 weeks
Results
Copper-deficient animals developed significantly larger aortic atherosclerotic lesions, elevated LDL cholesterol, and reduced cardiac function, confirming that adequate copper is necessary for cardiovascular health.
How They Measured It
Echocardiography, lipid panels, aortic lesion area
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Copper research
There are currently 13 peer-reviewed studies on Copper (Cupric ion (Cu²⁺)), involving 4,242 total participants. Research covers Antioxidant support, Connective tissue health, Iron metabolism and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Copper has been researched for: Antioxidant support, Connective tissue health, Iron metabolism, Cardiovascular health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 13 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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