Copper Overload, Glucose, Malabsorption and Heavy Metals

 

🧪 Copper Overload – In Simple Terms

Copper overload happens when there is too much copper in the body and not enough zinc or ceruloplasmin (a protein that helps regulate copper). Copper is essential, but too much becomes toxic and causes an imbalance in mood, energy, and methylation.

⚖️ What Copper Normally Does:

• Helps with iron metabolism

• Supports the nervous system

• Needed for enzyme function and brain health
  

🚨 Signs of Copper Overload:

Mental/Emotional	Physical
Anxiety or irritability 😠	Fatigue 🛌
Racing thoughts 💭	Headaches or migraines 🤕
Mood swings / PMS 🎭	Skin issues (acne, eczema) 🧖‍♀️
Depression/feeling overwhelmed 😞	Poor immune function 🛡️
High sensitivity to smells/sounds 🔊	Histamine intolerance 🤧

🧠 How It Affects Methylation:

• Copper affects the DAO and MAO enzymes → messes with neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine.

• Often linked to undermethylation → high histamine levels

• High copper can block zinc, which is needed for proper methylation

🧬 Genetic Links:

• Low ceruloplasmin (due to stress, estrogen, or genetics) means copper isn’t bound properly.

• Women on birth control or estrogen therapy are more at risk.
  

🛠️ Supportive Approaches:

✅ Increase:

• Zinc (balances copper)

• Vitamin C (helps detox copper)

• B6 and molybdenum (support enzymes that use copper)

• High-protein diet with sulfur-rich foods (eggs, garlic, onions)
  

🚫 Avoid:

• Copper pipes, cookware, IUDs, multivitamins with copper
  

• Estrogen-containing medications or birth control (if advised)

 

🧠 Copper & ADHD

1. High salivary copper linked to ADHD
   A U.S. adolescent study found those with the highest quartile of salivary copper had a ~4× increased risk of ADHD (and up to 8.4× for combined subtype ADHD-C) compared to the lowest quartile. This supports earlier findings of elevated copper in urine and hair samples of ADHD cases reddit.com+12link.springer.com+12pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+12.

2. Elemental cycle disruptions in ADHD
   Analysis of tooth biomarkers revealed that ADHD is associated with disrupted metal metabolism cycles, including copper. This dysregulation could impair antioxidant defences and promote dopamine oxidation, potentially harming dopaminergic neurons pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1link.springer.com+1.

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🔬 Copper & Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

1. Hair and serum copper levels in ASD
   A 29-study meta-analysis showed hair copper levels were LOWER in ASD children vs. controls, while blood levels showed no significant difference pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1.

2. Widespread review of metals in ASD
   A broader review found elevated copper levels in ~15–30% of ASD children across multiple regions. These increases often correlated with more severe symptoms and were accompanied by low zinc/copper ratios, researchgate.net+14pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+14sciencedirect.com+14.

3. Hair sample comparisons
   A case-control study in Saudi Arabia revealed higher levels of toxic metals (e.g., lead, mercury) and lower essential minerals (like copper) in ASD vs. controls reddit.com+7pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+7link.springer.com+7.

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🌍 Prenatal Metal Exposure & Neurodevelopment

• Norwegian pregnancy cohort study linked maternal copper (and other metals) in the non-linear range with childhood diagnoses of ASD and ADHD. Both high and low levels carry risk, highlighting that balanced copper levels are vital during neurodevelopment.

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✅ Summary

• ADHD: Elevated copper markers (saliva, teeth) linked to higher ADHD risk—possibly via oxidative stress and dopamine disruption.

• ASD: Mixed findings—hair tests often show lower copper, while blood/serum may show higher levels or altered copper/zinc balance.

• Balanced copper is key—prenatal exposure (too high or too low) may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

👩‍🔬 For Researchers & Practitioners

• Copper’s role is complex and context-dependent: tissue type (blood, hair, saliva), measurement timing (prenatal vs. childhood), and co-existing elements (zinc, lead, manganese).

• A holistic mineral panel, including zinc, selenium, lead, mercury, alongside copper, offers a better picture than single measurements.

When the body cannot effectively get rid of copper in the body and it builds up, you get conditions like Wilson Disease and Menkes Disease.

 

🍬 Glucose Dyscontrol

Glucose dyscontrol means your body has trouble keeping your blood sugar levels steady. This includes high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), or rapid swings between the two.

It’s often a root cause of fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, and inflammation.

⚖️ What Normally Happens

When you eat:

1. Your food turns into glucose (sugar).
   
2. The hormone insulin helps move glucose into your cells for energy.
   
3. Any extra glucose is stored for later use.
   

If the system breaks down, blood sugar becomes unstable.

⚠️ Signs of Glucose Dyscontrol

Too High (Hyperglycemia)	Too Low (Hypoglycemia)
Fatigue after meals 😴	Shaky or dizzy before meals 😵
Cravings for sweets 🍰	Sudden hunger or irritability 😡
Brain fog 🧠	Sweating or heart racing 💓
Belly fat gain ⚖️	Headaches or lightheadedness 🤕
Frequent urination 🚽	Anxiety or panic attacks 😰

🧬 Methylation & Glucose Control – The Connection

Methylation affects insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and mitochondrial energy. When glucose is poorly regulated, it can:

• Stress mitochondria, lowering energy
  
• Increase oxidative stress and inflammation
  
• Lead to methylation slowdown or SAMe depletion
  
• Affect neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA
  

Genes involved: TCF7L2, IRS1, SLC2A4 (GLUT4), MTHFR, COMT

🛠️ Support for Glucose Balance

✅ Focus On:

• High-fibre, whole-foods diet (low in sugar)
  
• Protein + healthy fats at each meal
  
• Magnesium and chromium (support insulin)
  
• B vitamins, especially B1, B6, and biotin
  
• Exercise (even light walking after meals)
  
• Stable meal timing (avoid skipping meals)
  

🚫 Avoid:

• Refined sugars, white flour, soda, and processed foods
  
• Overuse of caffeine (spikes blood sugar)
  
• Eating large amounts of carbs alone

Malabsorption

Heavy Metals

“You might love Metallica, but your liver doesn’t love mercury!”

⚙️ Heavy Metals & Methylation 

Heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, aluminium, and cadmium are toxic elements that can disrupt methylation, overload detox systems, and harm the brain, liver, and immune system.

🧬 How Heavy Metals Affect Methylation

Impact	What Happens
❌ Inhibit methylation enzymes	Metals like mercury and lead block enzymes like MTHFR, BHMT, and CBS
🧪 Reduce glutathione	Glutathione is needed for detox, and methylation helps make it
🧠 Disrupt neurotransmitter balance	Affect dopamine, serotonin, and GABA → mood, focus, and sleep problems
💥 Causes oxidative stress	Metals increase free radicals, which damage cells and slow methylation
⚖️ Methylation uses up resources	Detoxing metals consumes methyl donors (SAMe) and B vitamins

⚠️ Signs You Might Be Affected by Heavy Metals

• Chronic fatigue or brain fog 😵‍💫
  
• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression 😔
  
• Poor memory and concentration 🧠
  
• Skin rashes or unusual allergies 🤧
  
• Slow detox (chemical sensitivity, headaches)
  
• Sensitive to supplements or meds
  
• Diagnosed with MTHFR or GST gene variants
  
  

🛠️ Supporting Detox & Methylation Together

Support Strategy	Why It Helps
Methyl donors: B12, methylfolate, TMG	Fuel methylation to support detox pathways
Glutathione boosters: NAC, vitamin C, selenium	Helps neutralise and carry out heavy metals
Binders: Chlorella, activated charcoal	Help “trap” metals for safe removal
Zinc	Competes with toxic metals like cadmium
Sweating: Sauna, exercise	Promotes the excretion of metals through the skin

⛔ Be Cautious:

• Never do a heavy metal detox without supporting methylation first.
  
• Aggressive detox (like chelation) can stir up metals and worsen symptoms if your methylation and glutathione systems are weak.

 

Statement: Never do a heavy metal detox without supporting methylation first:

✅ How to Support Methylation First

Here’s a step-by-step foundation to prepare your body:

1. Assess Nutrient Status

Make sure your body has the core nutrients that fuel methylation:

Nutrient	Best Forms
B12	Methylcobalamin or Hydroxycobalamin (start low)
Folate	Methylfolate (5-MTHF) — NOT folic acid
B6	P5P (active B6)
B2	Riboflavin-5-phosphate
B3	Niacin or Niacinamide (can help “mop up” excess methyl groups)
Magnesium	Glycinate, malate, or threonate
Zinc	Glycinate or picolinate
Trimethylglycine (TMG) or Choline	Secondary methyl donors

2. Test (if possible)

Get a sense of your methylation status via:

• Organic Acids Test (OAT)
  
• Homocysteine blood level (ideal = ~6–8 µmol/L)
  
• Genetic testing for MTHFR, COMT, CBS, etc.
  

3. Support Detox Pathways Gently

Methylation is part of detox, but it also relies on glutathione and liver function:

• N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or liposomal glutathione
  
• Milk thistle, dandelion root, and burdock to support the liver
  
• Vitamin C and selenium to reduce oxidative stress
  

4. Balance Before Boosting

If you have symptoms of overmethylation (anxiety, insomnia, irritability), start slowly with methyl donors and include niacin to buffer.

If you’re undermethylated (fatigue, depression, high histamine), you may need more B12/folate/zinc.

5. Start Low, Go Slow

Start with low-dose methylated B vitamins, and only add detox agents (e.g., binders, chelators, chlorella, EDTA, DMSA) once you’re tolerating methylation support well.

🚨 Summary:

Fuel methylation ➝ open detox channels ➝ THEN start metal detox.

Think of it like unclogging the drain before pouring dirty water in.

 

Statement: Aggressive detox (like chelation) can stir up metals and worsen symptoms if your methylation and glutathione systems are weak: 

NOTE: Though the most effective form of getting rid of heavy metals is CHELATION, as it bonds well with certain elements, making it either easier to eliminate or be absorbed. Always consult your doctor first.

There are many other chelating medications, of which DMSA (oral), DMPS (transdermal and intravenous and TTFD (transdermal) are some. DMSA is very commonly used. (Amendment suggested by Dr Louise Lindenberg)

⚖️ Clarifying the Two Uses of “Chelated”

🧬 Why This Matters for MTHFR

• People with MTHFR mutations often have impaired detox capacity and may not produce enough glutathione.

• Jumping into aggressive chelation therapy before supporting methylation can:

  • Stir up mobilised metals into the bloodstream

  • Overwhelm detox pathways

  • Lead to symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, headaches, or neurological issues

✅ Recommended First Step:

Support your body with chelated minerals like:

• Zinc glycinate – supports methylation, immunity, and balances copper

• Magnesium malate/glycinate calms the nervous system

• Selenium supports glutathione production

• B vitamins (especially methylfolate + B12) – essential for methylation

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🛑 Caution:

Chelation therapy (to remove heavy metals) should only be done when:

1. Methylation is supported

2. Gut, liver, and kidneys are functioning well

3. Glutathione is adequate

4. Supervised by a knowledgeable practitioner

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In Short:

✅ Chelated minerals = nourishment
⚠️ Chelation therapy = extraction (and risky if you’re not ready)

Chelated mineral supplements are often recommended for people with MTHFR gene variants, especially those with reduced methylation capacity. Here’s why:

🧬 Why Chelated Minerals Help in MTHFR

Chelated Form	What It Means	Why It’s Better
“Chelated” = “bound to an amino acid”	Example: zinc glycinate, magnesium bisglycinate	Easier to absorb, gentler on the stomach
Highly bioavailable	More likely to be absorbed even if gut or methylation is compromised	Reduced need for high dosing
Less reactive	Fewer GI side effects like nausea or loose stool	Safer for people with detox or histamine issues

🧠 Key Chelated Minerals for MTHFR Support

Mineral	Chelated Form	Why It’s Important
Zinc	Zinc picolinate or glycinate	Supports MTR, DAO, immune system, and balances copper
Magnesium	Magnesium glycinate or malate	Supports ATP production, calms nerves, and helps sleep
Selenium	Selenomethionine	Needed for glutathione, thyroid, and antioxidant defence
Iron (if deficient)	Iron bisglycinate	Less harsh on digestion than ferrous sulfate
Calcium	Calcium citrate-malate	Needed for muscle and nerve function, but balanced with magnesium

🚫 Avoid Non-Chelated or Hard-to-Absorb Forms:

• Oxide forms (e.g. magnesium oxide) — poorly absorbed
  
  
• Sulfates and carbonates may cause GI upset
  
  
• High-dose non-chelated minerals may irritate the gut and compete with other nutrients
  
  

⚠️ Tips for Use:

• Always balance zinc with copper (especially if supplementing long-term)
  
• Use with a functional practitioner if you have detox, copper/zinc, or sulfur issues
  

Choose low-and-slow dosing with chelated forms to minimise reactivity.

PLEASE NOTE: ANY VIEWS REGARDING THE RESULTS ARE MY UNDERSTANDING AND DO NOT SERVE AS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. THE TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION IS STRICTLY RELATED TO ALEX’S RESULTS AND NOT MEANT FOR SELF-TREATMENT. ALWAYS SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE STARTING ANY TREATMENTS.