INADEQUATE COPPER MAY HAMPER FAT BURNING

The essential mineral copper has been gaining increasing attention over the past decade for its role in human physiology.  Copper is needed to form red blood cells, absorb iron, develop connective tissue, mediate neural communications and support the immune system.  A new study in mice suggests that copper has another important function – enabling the breakdown of fat stores.

The researchers made the copper-fat link using mice with a genetic mutation that causes the accumulation of copper in the liver. The inherited condition, known as Wilson's disease, also occurs in humans and is potentially fatal if left untreated.  The researchers noted that, compared to the controls, the mice with Wilson’s had lower liver fat stores and greater body fat stores.  The researchers also found that the fat tissue in the bodies of the mice with Wilson's had lower levels of copper compared with the control mice.  When researchers treated the Wilson's disease and control mice with isoproterenol, a substance known to induce the breakdown of fat, they found that the mice with Wilson’s exhibited less fat-breakdown than the control mice.  

Next, working with cell cultures, the researchers sought to clarify the mechanism by which copper influences the breakdown of fat.  They found that copper deactivates one of the enzymes that stops the process of fat breakdown.  This study was the first to uncover the biochemical mechanisms linking copper and fat but not the first to indicate some sort of relationship between copper and fat stores.  Previous work with beef cattle has found that higher levels of copper in feed creates meat cuts with lower fat content. 

What to do: It remains to be seen exactly what role copper plays in human fat breakdown.  The adult Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of copper is 900 mcg.  The U.S.  Food and Nutrition Board estimates that only 25% of the U.S. population gets enough copper daily.  Still, limit any supplementation to no more than 100% of the RDA as excessive copper intake can impair absorption of other key minerals such as zinc.  The best way to ensure you have adequate copper levels is to consume a variety of foods rich in copper including oysters and other shellfish, wheat bran, leafy greens, mushrooms, seeds, nuts, cocoa products, and beans.

Source:

Krishnamoorthy L, Cotruvo JA, Chan J et al.  Copper regulates cyclic-AMP-dependent lipolysis.  Nature Chemical Biology.  Available online June 6, 2016 ahead of print. DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2098

Adapted from articles available at:

http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/06/06/fat-burning-copper/

http://thescienceexplorer.com/brain-and-body/copper-plays-key-role-burning-fat-study-suggests