Cuprum metallicum
I follow the latest developments in Alzheimer’s disease closely because I think that would be the worst possible way to end this amazing life. Recently I found some exciting new research that makes the correlation between elevated free copper levels in the blood and Alzheimer’s disease. The brain plaques found in the Alzheimer’s patients are filled with copper, and Alzheimer’s occurrence is significantly higher in developed countries which use of copper plumbing (and brass fittings, as copper is readily released from brass). Japan is the exception, as a developed country with low Alzheimer’s incidence, and it is noteworthy that they do not allow copper piping due to concerns around toxicity. Other sources of excess copper are nutritional supplements and a diet high in meat.
The other side of too much copper is too little zinc. Zinc helps remove free floating copper from the body, so zinc deficiency can contribute to an excess of copper. In addition to Alzheimer’s, high copper levels have been correlated with certain types of cancer including, prostate, breast, colon, lung, and brain cancers. Fluoride is another mineral correlated with Alzheimer’s disease through the calcification of the pineal gland. Drinking water that has been filtered will reduce one’s exposure to both copper and fluoride.
If Alzheimer’s prevention is something you or someone you love is interested in, consider avoiding supplements that include copper and drink filtered water. Copper deficiency is extremely rare and most people do not need supplementation. Consider supplementing with Zinc, if you are concerned that your copper levels are too high. If you have copper pipes or brass fittings in your plumbing, a reverse osmosis filter removes 99% of the copper. Family history of Alzheimer’s disease is the highest risk factor for the disease. Constitutional homeopathic treatment can help reduce your susceptibility to any inherited predisposition to disease.