this is a continuation of the topic of minerals that started in the
LindaLou's chelation experience thread. It was suggested that a new thread be started on this.

More about copper.

"The copper-dependent enzyme, cytochrome c oxidase, plays a critical role in cellular energy production. By catalyzing the reduction of molecular oxygen (O2) to water (H2O), cytochrome c oxidase generates an electrical gradient used by the mitochondria to create the vital energy-storing molecule, ATP (3)."

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/copper/index.html

"Is necessary for normal functioning of insulin. Copper deficiency is also associated with poor blood glucose control.
"

http://www.acemagnetics.com/eduarticles-coppersportsbracelets-absorbtion.html

The more I read about copper and zinc, the more I realize how crucial these minerals are.

The hard part is to figure out how much to take, and when to take them. Zinc blocks copper and iron absorption, so one needs to be careful not to take too much zinc, and not to take it with copper or iron supplements at the same meal. Copper and iron also block each other, so they should be taken separately. Molybdenum blocks copper absorption. It is hard to figure out a good schedule for taking these. Of course magnesium and calcium are also very important, and should be taken separately.

DMSA cause copper and zinc depletion, so those using it have an even geater need for supplementation.

Amalgam fillings have significant amounts of copper. If you have or had them you might not want to supplement copper.

I doubt much copper leaks from amalgams. Amalgams are probably less than 7% copper. While micrograms of mercury are toxic, the human body needs 2 or 3 mg a day of copper. So even if amalgams did release a number of milligrams total of copper over the years, this amount is not significant compared to what the body needs. Some people do have an excess of copper, but this is probably from well water with too much copper, perhaps cooking acidic foods in copper pots over a long period of time, or having a disease that causes too much copper accumulation.