Copper:Zinc
Plasma Copper, Plasma Zinc, Caeruloplasmin, Copper:Zinc Ratio
Copper and zinc are two important minerals in our body and required for a multitude of functions and processes. Zinc (Zn) deficiency and copper (Cu) excess are common clinical scenarios in both Australia and worldwide causing a high copper to zinc ratio.
A high Copper to Zinc ratio (Cu/Zn) can cause a range of detrimental health effects including growth and mental abnormalities, increased age degeneration, contribute toward cancer progression and increase oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease risks.
Both copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are antagonistic to each other, meaning the more of one element you retain the less of the other you will have in your body. The ratio between copper and zinc is a fine balance and one that is commonly being tipped toward copper in modern society to the detriment of our health.