Long-term high copper intake: effects on copper absorption, retention, and homeostasis in men

What Was Tested

This clinical trial paper looks at Copper (Supplement).

A study was conducted in men to determine the effect of long-term high copper intake on copper absorption, retention, and homeostasis.

Why It Was Studied

Numerous studies have examined the effect of low and adequate intakes of copper on absorption and retention, but little information is available on the regulation of absorption and retention of copper when intake is high.

Who Took Part

The study group was 3 subjects.

PubMed indexes the participants as adults and middle-aged adults, men only.

The stable isotope (63)Cu was fed to 3 subjects and infused into the other 6 on day 7 of each MRU period, and complete urine and stool collections were made throughout the study.

How the Study Was Run

Total copper and (63)Cu were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Copper absorption, excretion, and retention were calculated on the basis of dietary, urinary, and fecal copper and (63)Cu.

What Was Measured

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Copper, Diet, Feces, Hair, Homeostasis, Intestinal Absorption and Nutrition Policy.

What This Means in Plain Language

This is a clinical trial of Copper (Supplement) in 3 subjects.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The abstract goes on to report its results in about 2 sentences; this page does not restate them, so read the paper for the findings and their limits.

The publication is from 2005 (The American journal of clinical nutrition), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Copper (Supplement) compound page, all human trials.