Studies at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research has shown that copper and zinc have important roles in brain function.
Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have now described the importance of adequate amounts of copper in brain function. Their animal studies indicate that adequate consumption of copper is essential to the fetus during pregnancy.
A previous animal study, led by biologist Curtiss Hunt showed that even moderate copper deprivation in pregnant rats caused underdevelopment in the areas that control memory in the developing brains of their offspring. Hunt is a scientist at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research (GFHNRC) maintained by ARS Grand Forks, North Dakota.
The mice in the study were given low-copper diets during gestation, lactation, or both. Their offspring compared to offspring born to mothers that were fed diets that contained enough copper exhibited a delayed development in the areas of the brain called the hippocampus. These areas have important roles in the more advanced features of the brain, such as the ability to learn.
Several biochemical mechanisms essential in the development of the brain that are associated with copper deficiency have now been described in Nutritional Neuroscience (Neuroscience Nutrition), a book by the author and chemist GFHNRC W. Thomas Johnson.
Consuming a balanced diet containing a variety of nutritious foods is the best method of achieving adequate levels of dietary copper, according to Johnson. Good sources of copper include Spirulina, liver, beef, mushrooms, mixed nuts and dried fruits, barley and canned tomato puree.
Spirulina contains 10 g of 120 ug and 300 ug Copper Zinc and therefore it’s recommended a daily administration of this algae.