Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center: Copper
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for humans and animals. In the body, copper shifts between the cuprous (Cu
1+) and cupric (Cu
2+) forms, though the majority of the body's copper is in the Cu
2+ form. The ability of copper to easily accept and donate
electrons explains its important role in
oxidation-
reduction (
redox) reactions and in
scavenging free radicals (1). Although Hippocrates is said to have prescribed copper compounds to treat diseases as early as 400 B.C.
(2), scientists are still uncovering new information regarding the functions of copper in the human body
(3).