Copper could be effective in treating obesity, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Nature Chemical Biology.
Known for its beneficial effects in the formation of red blood cells, to absorb iron, develop connective tissue and help the immune system, copper is also believed to have the ability to reduce muscle mass.
Researchers from the University of Berkeley in California (United States) studied the role in the metabolism of this metal and they observed that copper could allow fat to be burned naturally.
“We found that copper was fundamental to breaking down fat cells and turning them into energy,” said Professor Chris Chang, author of this study. “It serves as a regulator. The more copper there is, the more the cells will be broken down. We think it would be interesting to study the links between copper deficiency andobesity and related diseases. ”
Filling up copper with the power supply
The recommended daily dose of copper would be 2 milligrams for a man, 1.5 mg for adult women, 2 mg for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and 1.5 mg for children and adolescents 10 to 19 years old.
It is found in dried fruits, wheat germ, organ meats, crustaceans and shellfish. It is essential for the functioning of the heart, the growth, the solidity of the bones; it also facilitates the absorption of iron. On the other hand, Professor Chris Chang recalls that dietary supplements containing copper must imperatively be prescribed by a doctor.
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