Posted on 04/07/2010 8:43:49 AM PDT by decimon
With scientific evidence linking high levels of copper and iron to Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and other age-related disorders, a new report in ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology suggests specific steps that older consumers can take to avoid build up of unhealthy amounts of these metals in their bodies. "This story of copper and iron toxicity, which I think is reaching the level of public health significance, is virtually unknown to the general medical community, to say nothing of complete unawareness of the public," George J. Brewer states in the report.
The article points out that copper and iron are essential nutrients for life, with high levels actually beneficial to the reproductive health of younger people. After age 50, however, high levels of these metals can damage cells in ways that may contribute to a range of age-related diseases.
"It seems clear that large segments of the population are at risk for toxicities from free copper and free iron, and to me, it seems clear that preventive steps should begin now." The article details those steps for people over age 50, including avoiding vitamin and mineral pills that contain cooper and iron; lowering meat intake: avoiding drinking water from copper pipes; donating blood regularly to reduce iron levels; and taking zinc supplements to lower copper levels.
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ARTICLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE "Risks of Copper and Iron Toxicity during Aging in Humans"
DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT ARTICLE http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/tx900338d
CONTACT: George Brewer, M.D. Departments of Human Genetics and Internal Medicine Morton S. and Henrietta K. Sellner Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics Emeritus Professor of Internal Medicine University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor, Mich. 48109-5618 Phone: 734-395-1070 Fax: 734-332-7878 Email: brewergj@umich.edu
Metal ages ping.
Here the buzzing about Folic Acid?
http://www.prevention.com/health/nutrition/healthy-eating-tips/is-your-breakfast-giving-you-cancer/article/7518212f04527210VgnVCM10000030281eac____
Can’t post Prevention articles on this site - bummer, looks interesting...any product the government pushes I’m skeptical about - same with fortified with Iron.
Was this written by a 23 yr old? The great majority of over 50s are banned from donating blood due to medications.
I thought bleeding as a medical treatment went out at some point after the Victorian era.
A lot of the people I see giving blood when I go to donate seem to be over 50. I’m over 50 but am lucky enough not to have to take any medications on a regular basis, so far.
They can get lost.
I thought us old fogies were supposed to take iron supplements such as Geritol, etc.
Hey, didja hear the one about the old guy who added Viagra to his Geritol doses? Now every time he steps outside his house, he stops and rotates and faces north.
(badaboom, badabing)
There are very very few medications that bar you from donating blood. Statins, blood pressure meds, anti-depressants, most hormone treatment - all fine.
http://www.bloodmobile.com/donor_rules.html
Scan down the page for medication restrictions.
There is a hereditary condition called hemochromatosis. Excess levels of iron build up in the blood and can deposit in organs like the heart and liver with serious results. The treatment is careful monitoring of the iron levels and phlebetomies (blood donation) to keep the levels down. The condition is believed to be more common than realized because most people are asymptomatic until the levels reach toxic levels in later life.
Link is firewalled. Well, down to the pond for some leeches I guess.
Not since the days of Ed Sullivan.
I pulled all my copper pipes out and replaced them with lead pipes. I feel better now.
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