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COPPER IS ABSORBED THROUGH THE PLACENTA


It is highly important during pregnancy, especially in the third quarter, because this is when many of the small organs, systems and functions of the body are developed. It is essential for the mother to intake an adequate amount of copper in order to fulfill her body’s demands and those of her baby during and after pregnancy. Between 3 and 4 mg of copper should be consumed each day by means of a healthy and balanced diet.

The fetus stores almost ten times more copper per mass unit than adults, and when it is born, it consumes a large part of its reserves because mother’s milk or its substitutes have low copper content.

 
IMPORTANT BENEFITS FOR UNWEANED CHILDREN

Recently born babies obtain copper from their own body reserves which they have stored during pregnancy; the baby will use this reserve until he is fed other food than milk. The body does not produce copper so he will have to obtain it from food. A normal and healthy diet is what guarantees consumption of an adequate amount of copper and other essential elements.

  
PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ALSO NEED COPPER

Children regulate the copper they absorb naturally in their diet. Copper is found in foods rich in minerals such as vegetables, legumes, cereals, nuts, fruit and even chocolate, as also in meat and fish. Depending on their weight and age, children must consume daily between 0.5 and 1 mg of copper. A lower consumption of this micronutrient severely affects growth and it is, therefore, very important to eat a balanced diet, not only for the correct operation of all the organs but also for the production of energy, for which it is essential.

  
CONSUMPTION OF COOPER IS NOT ONLY FOR CHILDREN

Copper is the best protection of an adult’s health. An adult body has a copper concentration of between 1.4 and 2 mg per kilogram of body weight. To maintain this concentration after covering losses or the demand for growth, a copper consumption between 2 to 4 mg per day is required, which must be supplied by the food (and in a lower amount by the water) we consume.

People and all living beings have an automatic mechanism (homeostasis) that regulates the amount of copper and other essential metals, such as zinc, iron, boron, and selenium that enter into our body.




© PROCOBRE PERU - 2001 Copper Promotion Center
Francisco Graña Nº 671, Magdalena del Mar, Lima 17 -PERU
Telephones: (51-1) 460-1600 ext. 229 / 261-4067

261-5931 / 461-1826 Fax: (51-1) 460-1616