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What is Copper L-Aspartate 1%?

Copper L-aspartate 1% is synthesized from cupric carbonate and L-aspartic acid, with mannitol added to reduce the copper content to 1%.

Copper L-aspartate is highly bioavailable. Both copper and aspartic acid occur naturally in the body. Mannitol is a sugar alcohol used as a carrier in this product.

Copper is the third most abundant trace mineral in the human body. It is essential for system functioning in all complex plants and animals. The aspartic acid component of this supplement serves as a natural transport mechanism for minerals.

Copper aspartate is used as a dietary supplement to increase levels of copper in the body. The mineral can be derived from a variety of food sources such as oysters, organ meats (especially liver), other seafood, beans, nuts and whole grains.

Copper plays vital roles in several physiological and biochemical metabolic pathways and is present in many enzymes.

Copper makes its way around the body primarily through a plasma protein called ceruloplasmin.

Copper supplementation is very important, as any deficiency of copper will lead to serious disturbances in the normal functioning of system processes. Other supplement forms include cupric oxide, copper gluconate, copper sulfate and copper citrate. Copper is also known to compete with zinc for absorption in the digestive tract, and a diet that is rich in one may cause a deficiency in the other.

The aspartate in this supplement increases absorption and increases efficient utilization of copper. It is an important ingredient of the citric acid cycle (Wikipedia), the center of energy production within the cell.

Aspartic acid is required and used in every cell of the body. It is also a metabolic intermediate in several biochemical pathways in the body, including the tricarboxylic acid and urea cycles. Aspartic acid salts are believed to be mineral transporters to the metabolizing cells, aiding in the metabolic process by replenishing electrolytes and contributing to efficient energy production. Aspartate may reduce oxygen consumption by the cells during the energy cycle.

Copper aspartate is a nutritional analog with better absorption, tolerance, retention and bioavailability than its counterparts.

Symptoms of Copper Deficiency

Copper deficiency is characterized by anemia, reduced growth, increased blood cholesterol levels, fatigue, heart arrhythmia, brittle or discolored hair, high blood pressure, skeletal defects and infertility.

Although deficiency in humans is rare, it does occur under certain circumstances. Additional symptoms of possible copper deficiency include low body temperature, bone fractures and osteoporosis, prominently dilated veins, low white blood cell count, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol levels, increased susceptibility to infections, birth defects, loss of pigment from the skin, and thyroid disorders. Inherited copper deficiency (Menkes' syndrome) occurs in male infants who have inherited a mutant X-linked gene (1 in 50,000 live births). Children with Menkes' disease are unable to absorb copper normally and become severely deficient unless medically treated early in life.

Health Benefits of Copper L-Aspartate 1%

As the third most abundant trace mineral in the body, copper is required for proper health and helps protect the cardiovascular, skeletal and nervous systems. It is critical for nerve function, bone growth and helping process sugars. The body also needs copper to use iron. Aside from being a key component of approximately 50 different enzymes, (which all need copper to function properly) copper is an essential nutrient crucial to the synthesis of hemoglobin, myelin, collagen, and melanin.

Copper also works with vitamin C and zinc to help make tissue proteins, collagen, and a component of connective tissue known as elastin-- all needed for the development and the maintenance of skin and bones, including blood vessels and joints.

Copper is a powerful antioxidant and energy assistant. The antioxidant Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)(Wikipedia) depends on copper for its production in the body. Copper is needed to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (Wikipedia), the energy the body runs on.

The body needs copper to help produce the skin pigment melanin, which colors the skin, hair and eyes. When hair becomes gray due to copper deficiency, copper supplementation may help reverse the process.

Copper also helps manage and control the function of lysyl oxidase, an enzyme responsible for the creation of collagen in the bones, connective tissues, and skin. Many topical creams designed to firm and restore the skin’s elasticity now contain copper peptides as an active ingredient.

It's important to note that a large number of people do not reap copper's full health benefits because they simply do not consume enough of this essential nutrient. This is especially true for individuals who consume high amounts of alcohol. Supplementation may be necessary if a person’s diet is deficient in this mineral since it plays so many critical roles in the body.

Purity and Concentration of Copper L-Aspartate 1%

This is a product of Copper L-Aspartate 10% blended with mannitol to reduce the copper content. The resulting product contains 1% elemental copper. In 100 milligrams of copper L-apartate 1%, the product contains 90 milligrams of mannitol and 10 milligrams of copper L-aspartate, which provides 1 milligram (1%) of elemental copper.

You will receive a resealable bag of this pure product. Store it in a cool, dry, dark place.

Suggested Use of Copper Aspartate 1%

As a dietary supplement, take 160 milligrams per day (or as directed by physician). For accurate measurement use an analytical milligram scale. Because copper is toxic in quantities, extreme care should be exercised when using this product.



Purebulk's Copper Aspartate 1% contains 1% elemental copper in the molecules of the compound. Thus, a 160 milligram serving will provide 1.6 mg of elemental copper. You can see the bulk density/volumetric measures chart for Copper L-Aspartate 1% here. A 1/16 teaspoon would yield the desired amount.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends a daily intake of 2 milligrams elemental copper each day, thus a serving of 160 mg Copper Aspartate 1% will yield 80% of the recommended daily intake of copper.

Potential Side Effects of Copper Aspartate 1%

Copper can be TOXIC if taken in excess. More than 4 milligrams of elemental (pure) copper per day may cause nausea or muscle pain, and in severe cases may result in liver damage, kidney failure, coma or death. All copper compounds, unless otherwise known, should be treated as if they were toxic.

Symptoms of acute copper toxicity include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea – all reactions of the body to prevent additional ingestion and absorption of copper.

Other possible side effects include muscle and joint pain, nervousness, irritability or depression.

Supplemental copper is contraindicated in those with Wilson’s disease (hepatolenticular degeneration), a disease of abnormal copper accumulation.

References & Further Research

Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center: Copper

University of Maryland Medical Center: Copper

NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates herbal and other dietary supplements differently than conventional medicines. The standards for supplements are found in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a federal law that defines dietary supplements and sets product-label­ing standards and health claim limits. To learn more about DSHEA, visit the FDA Web site.