Copper jewelry can leave a green ring on the skin.
Many people with arthritis have purchased copper bracelets and magnetic copper bracelets believing that their pain and stiffness will be relieved by the jewelry. Stores that carry alternative health supplies and new age materials often carry the bracelets. You also can find them in big box stores. Many bracelet owners swear the copper relieves the pain and joint swelling.
Copper Deficiency
The body needs trace amounts of copper to function well. Additionally, copper can substitute for zinc and iron in the body, thus assisting the blood to carry sufficient amounts of oxygen and boosting the immune system. Natural healers, such as naturopaths, report that the copper poisons some pathogens by exceeding the pathogen's tolerance for copper and by boosting the human immune system to battle the pathogen. Individuals deficient in copper, iron or zinc may discover that the copper bracelets help balance the system by supplying small and consistent amounts of copper.
Transdermal Absorption
According to information from merchants who sell copper bracelets, the body absorbs copper transdermally by an individual wearing the copper bracelets. By-passing the liver and gastrointestinal tract, the minerals travel straight into the blood stream. Copper from foods such as shellfish, nuts, legumes and seeds must pass through the stomach and intestines, where it can be damaged and lose its effectiveness in the body.
Nutrient Absorption
Copper will attach to the cells at the same receptor points as lead or cadmium. Absorption of copper reduces the amount of toxic metals the body can absorb and reduces the potential damage they can do. Copper also connects to the same receptor points as zinc and iron and may assist individuals with iron or zinc deficiency by substituting for the critically needed minerals.
Placebo Effect
A small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study reported in the "Complementary Therapies in Medicine" medical journal showed that copper bracelets, two different strengths of magnetic straps and a demagnetized strap had no effect on the pain, joint stiffness and flexibility in patients with osteoarthritis. Participants wore the four devices randomly for a period of 16 weeks between February and June 2005. The researchers concluded that any benefit people gain from wearing any of the four options is psychological, rather than physiological. At the time of publication, researchers have conducted no long-term studies on copper bracelets alone, so no final conclusions exist for use of the copper bracelets alone for periods longer than 16 weeks.
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