Comprehensive Guide to Managing Autism - 10

Copperheads

An inordinate number of children with autism have an excess of copper stored in tissues. Women tend to have copper levels 1/3 higher than men, making them more susceptible to copper toxicity. At one laboratory, it is reported that more than 50% of all hair samples show a copper imbalance. This copper is unbound with protein (ceruloplasmin), and thus, unavailable for normal uses, including its use as an antifungal to fight candida. In one long-term study, the U.S. Army found that the immunized group had depressed serum iron and elevated serum copper. These “Copperheads” have very active minds, but the excess copper causes GI disturbances, impaired protein metabolism—causing a weakness of protein structures by interfering with the cross linking process (one effect being breakage or leakage of capillaries which may cause small strokes, and/or a dangerous aneurysm in vein or artery), salivation, acne, a metallic taste, dizziness, headache—including migraine, loss of appetite (underweight), no desire for the zinc of red meat (yet an inordinate desire for chocolate, avocados, soy, or carob that are very high in copper), anxiety, various female difficulties, severe fatigue—even after adequate rest, detachment from reality termed spaciness, alternating moods, panic, fearfulness, schizophrenia, phobias, and weakness. Excess copper also raises sodium and lowers potassium and manganese tissue levels. Excess copper, by displacing zinc and manganese, is often associated with pancreatic dysfunction. Pro-oxidant copper ions affect glutathione distribution in several ways. Jaundice and high bilirubin levels are signs of copper toxicity, as is earaches and ear infections.  

Additionally, copper imbalance can contribute to heavy metal poisoning by slowing the rate of metabolism (slowing the thyroid), reducing the body’s ability to detoxify heavy metals. Severe cases cause hypertension, liver damage, kidney failure, and death. In schizophrenia there is found increased levels of copper and mercury and reduced levels of zinc, magnesium, and calcium that are known to be inhibited by heavy metals and to affect neurotransmitter levels. A magnesium deficiency will create a vitamin B₁ deficiency! Supplement both together. 

Citrus fruit increases intestinal absorption of copper, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) binds and transports it, however, large amounts of vitamin C, with vitamin B₆ and zinc, will remove the excess copper from the brain. These should be combined with manganese, as a prolonged zinc therapy can result in manganese deficiency. These supplements will favorably influence the emotional and psychological symptoms listed. Before undertaking this, one should have a hair test to determine the zinc/copper status. However, caution is urged in the interpretation, as animal studies show that reduced dietary zinc leads at first to low zinc levels in the hair, but when zinc depletion continues, values seem to return to the normal range, presumably because reduced hair growth resulting from impaired protein synthesis leads to a compensating increase in concentrations of zinc and other elements in such hair when it grows.  

Major contributing factors to this excess copper is the use of birth-control pills (depletes zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B₆), copper intra-uterine devices, antibiotic therapy, stress, candida overgrowth, and strict vegetarian and refined food diets that are deficient in zinc. Certain food dyes and colorings have a high hydrazine content that causes zinc depletion. Excess copper can be from swimming pools and Jacuzzis using copper sulfate for algae control. Foods rich in copper include soy, avocado, chocolate, and carob. Persons with the Cu/Zn chemical imbalance need to be vigilant in limiting sources of copper. When dumping copper (when stress and or estrogen levels are high), there will be increased levels of insomnia and depression, skin rashes, anxiety, fatigue, headache (usually migraine), digestive disorders, abdominal bloating, and a flare-up of a wide variety of chronic conditions listed above, such as hypoglycemia and candida yeast overgrowth, including vaginal yeast infections. A hallmark is the feeling that no one understands them. These reactions usually last a couple of days, and then subside to their chronic levels again. Redness or red tints to the hair is also an indicator of a copperhead.  

Dr. Schmitt says that, in his opinion, rashes are a sign of excessive copper working itself out of the system. Unavailable, excess copper is one of the normal clinical findings for people with candida infections. The problems may not be due to copper toxicity, but rather with its interference with the absorption and distribution of other metals such as iron (which cannot be absorbed without available copper—fortifying iron will not help, but will actually make the anemia worse) and zinc.  

The distressing symptoms of copper toxicity are often due to both dietary and stress-induced zinc deficiency, not an excess of copper. It is the ratio that counts. The ideal zinc-copper ratio is 8:1. If below 6:1 (hair), one should consider the above symptoms to be copper toxicity. It is important to learn to cope with stress in order to spare the adrenals, and to reduce the loss of zinc. Supplementing 200 mcg of chromium has been shown to reduce cortisol levels by 48%! Magnesium, vitamin C, and pantothenic acid further reduce this deadly hormone. A 45-minute massage (backrub?) showed a similar reduction. The practice of a relaxation-meditation exercise would be similarly effective. Maintaining a positive expectation would work, as would strong religious faith, and an expectation of sustaining help from the Lord. This will reduce loss of zinc, and help to prevent the buildup of excessive copper in tissues. Supplement the diet with 20 mg zinc daily, and with up to 60 mg of zinc during any acute, disease state or other severe stress, along with the other supplements mentioned. Where the excess copper is non-bioavailable, it may be necessary to supplement a small amount of copper to enable the body to produce the ceruloplasmin that is necessary to the bioavailability of copper. 

The principal reason for copper toxicity is adrenal insufficiency (in 70 to 80%) resulting largely from stress, leading to a deficiency of zinc, sodium, manganese, pantothenic acid (PABA), inositol, Folic acid, rutin, and vitamins A, B₁, B₆, C, and E. This adrenal insufficiency prevents synthesis of ceruloplasmin, necessary to utilization of copper. Additionally, lead and mercury interfere with the synthesis of ceruloplasmin or ferritin, contributing to copper toxicity. When unbound with ceruloplasmin, copper begins to accumulate in tissues and organs. The adrenals are strengthened, and copper absorption and utilization are increased by supplementing adrenal glandular, molybdenum, iron, sulfur, folic acid, niacin, inositol, choline, and the above listed nutrients, including extra biotin and PABA. Significantly elevated moly is unusual, and some toxic effects are due to displacement of copper or inactivation of copper enzymes. Copper deficiency predisposes to moly excess. If suffering from high copper levels, avoid high copper foods soy, avocado, chocolate, nuts, and seeds, and all things that raise copper tissue levels such as birth control pills, antibiotics, and foods with high content of phytoestrogens (soy and flax). Some children do a lot more stimming when using soy. Unfortunately, copper sulfate is added to some city water supplies, and to swimming pools, as a fungicide. Unfortunately, also, the Mother may transmit her copper/zinc imbalances to her unborn child. 

Excess copper depletes zinc and vitamins B₆ and C, and zinc deficiency results in impaired absorption of folic acid. The best way to overcome copper toxicity is to rebuild the adrenals, as listed above, and to supplement significantly vitamins B₆ and C, and zinc. Large amounts of these will excrete the copper. Unless tests show the copper to be extremely high, our purpose is not so much to excrete it, but to make it bio-available so the body can use it rather than store it. Attempts to reduce copper levels will likely precipitate a copper dump, and a flare up of symptoms, including depression. One already suffering depression should attempt to lower copper levels only under a Doctor’s guidance. These symptoms signal a beneficial elimination of excess copper, and are indications of a healing process, and though uncomfortable, should be welcomed. Some, however, cannot tolerate the symptoms, and should reduce the amounts of the supplements, or should skip a day or two and begin again at lower amounts, or should take the supplements only once a day. Do whatever is necessary to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms to bearable levels, but do not cease the program if you desire to regain optimal health.  

Sometimes one will feel really good for a few days before the dump, with its discomfort and changing moods, hits. When the dump occurs, the individual will begin to feel hopeless, and will often go off their supplement program. This is a very grave mistake. While these symptoms may appear to be related to the supplement program, as often as not, they are caused by stress or a coming menstrual period. Any stress, physical or emotional, results in a necessary increase in metabolic rate. This frequently results in a dump of excess copper into the blood. In as much as an increase in one’s metabolic rate will cause a flare-up in symptoms, it becomes desirable to temporarily slow one’s rate of metabolism. This is accomplished by increasing one’s calcium intake, which also avoids a copper-induced calcium deficiency. One should also increase dietary fat intake 25-30% using Evening Primrose oil, cod-liver oil, nuts, salad oils, cooking oils, and where permissible, dairy products. Slowing one’s rate of metabolism is definitely of value in reducing the symptoms associated with copper toxicity. When the symptoms are once again under control, it is time to resume the original nutritional program. To slow the metabolism indefinitely, especially through a high intake of dairy, would result in increased storage of copper. 

How does this all manifest in autism? Copper toxicity is associated with symptoms of mind racing (commonly seen in ADHD) due to enhanced activity of the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin resulting in inability to stop thoughts. Common problems will be loss of appetite, failure to eat protein, failure to thrive, insomnia, getting up in the middle of the night jumping and stimulating the metabolism, and headache. This constant, self-stimulation is to enhance the metabolic rate by stimulating the burned-out adrenals. They are tired, and yet will compulsively do anything to stimulate the adrenals and make themselves feel more normal. This “stimming” raises the blood sugar, and may allow them to get back to sleep eventually. This activity further drains the adrenals, however, leading to complete adrenal exhaustion unless something is done to support the adrenals. Copper and mercury being elevated usually means not enough bile and glutathione are being made by the liver. This can sometimes be improved by taking milk thistle extract, taurine, and glycine.