Research on the benefits of copper for health

Therapeutic effects of copper insoles

Forms of therapeutic copper and topical application

Copper is a known essential element in metabolism. Rather than as ionic the usual form within the human is as organic-complexes with proteins and enzymes. Such copper complexes have functions as diverse as storage, transportation, and regulatory in cellular metabolism. The effective use of copper-based pharmaceuticals may therefore not be as inorganic compounds, as used by the ancient physicians, but rather as metallo-organic complexes or chelates.

In 1939, the German physician, Werner Hangarter, University of Kiel, noticed that Finnish copper miners did not suffer arthritis during their employment. He found workers in other industries and other towns had more rheumatic diseases than did the copper miners. Finnish medical researchers collaborated with the Germans, Hangarter and Lübke (1952), in clinical trials using an aqueous mixture of copper chloride and sodium salicylate. Data was obtained from 1940 to 1971 providing for about 1,500 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (acute or chronic), rheumatic fever, ankylosing spondylitis, staphylococcal spondylitis, gonococcal arthritis, chronic gouty arthritis, polyarticular synovitis, coxitis, disseminated spondylitis, arthritis with psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, arthrosis deformans, erythema nodosum, sciatica (with and without lumbar involvement), cervical spine-shoulder syndrome and lumbar spine syndrome. The drugs used in these studies were Dicuprene, Alcuprin, Cuprimyl, and Permalon, a copper-salicylate preparation. There were significant successes reported. Of 620 patients with rheumatoid arthritis 65% became symptom free and another 23% improved significantly, only 12% remained unchanged. Neuralgic problems such as sciatica and cervical spine-shoulder problems also responded. However, interest in copper slowed after Hangarter’s retirement, also coinciding with the introduction of corticosteroid treatments for inflammatory arthritis.

When copper is in contact with the skin, it forms chelates with components of human sweat and this may aid its skin absorption. Copper absorption from the appliance thus leads to gradual reduction in its weight. Although a copper plate may not discharge as much copper as the topical application of copper-aspirin chelate solution/gel, it may function as a ‘time-release’ depot of copper.

A review by Walker WR, Beveridge SJ, Whitehouse MW, of both published work and unpublished observations, was concerned with: a) the 'efficacy' of copper bracelets for arthritis; b) the bio-reactivity of metallic copper (especially with human sweat); c) permeation of the skin by Cu(II) when complexed with certain ligands (such as salicylates); d) the pharmacological and clinical activity of AlcusalR and DermcusalR, two formulations of copper salicylate with ethanol and dimethyl sulphoxide respectively that can be applied to the skin. Overall, topical application seemed a superior alternative to orally ingested analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

A therapeutic electrical effect may be possible from topical copper appliances. Of metals commonly used as conductors, copper has a high conductivity. Dissimilar metals within an acidic environment generate a differential of electrical potential between them through electron transfer. This battery principle may be relevant with layered bracelets/appliances containing copper with other metals, when human sweat acts on the metals. Although this generates a tiny current this may induce an unexpected surface influence.

The influence on primary afferent nerve fibres (type A-delta and C) warrants further study. An anti-inflammatory effect of copper chelates may influence several nerve types. This includes the thick myelinated A-beta nerve fibres (which generally do not register pain unless sensitised by inflammation). Noxious sensation is registered through nociceptors (as free nerve endings) of thin myelinated A-delta and unmyelinated C-nerve fibres. Local anti-inflammatories, local anaesthetics and electrical modulation preferentially block the thin fibres and nociceptors for their analgesic effect. Copper chelates may have such an a anti-inflammatory effect at such sites.

Could a copper door handle help to beat MRSA?

According to the National Audit office, 300,000 patients pick up infections in hospital each year in the UK.

At least 5,000 are likely to die as a result.

The cost to the NHS is estimated at £1 billion a year.

Hospital superbugs may finally have met their match – in copper door handles.

Copper, used in medicines for 4,000 years, has been shown to be highly effective in killing off bacteria such as MRSA.

So successful have laboratory results been, that all stainless steel fittings in one hospital ward are to be replaced with copper ones to see if they cut infection rates.

The trial follows work by scientists at Southampton University which expanded on existing knowledge of the anti-bacterial qualities of copper.

They found that the metal "suffocates" germs, stopping them from breeding, and also destroying their DNA.

Even tiny pieces of copper killed vast amount of bugs.

The Pharaohs used copper to sterilize wounds and drinking water, while the Aztecs used it to treat skin conditions.

In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates, the "father of medicine" noted that the metal could be used to treat leg ulcers.

Today, it is a common constituent in antiseptic and antifungal creams.
 

An ancient metal – copper - the new weapon against hospital superbugs

A Birmingham hospital will launch an 18-month clinical trial in April 2007 to establish whether the installation of copper surfaces will kill MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections.

Like many other hospitals across Europe, Selly Oak Hospital, part of the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, has been fighting superbugs such as MRSA. Laboratory tests at Southampton University have established that the natural antimicrobial properties of copper and copper alloys dramatically reduce the presence of MRSA compared with stainless steel, the most commonly used surface-metal in health institutions. Now the findings will be put to the test in a real hospital environment. If the trial is successful, copper could be installed widely to cut the death-rate from hospital acquired infections. According to the National Audit Office, 300,000 patients pick up infections in hospital each year in the UK. At least 5,000 are likely to die as a result. The cost to the NHS is estimated at £1 billion per year.

Selly Oak has been chosen for the Copper Clinical Trial because it is a multi-specialist centre with an advanced microbiology centre. One general medical ward is already having copper installed in preparation for the trial. Because 80% of MRSA transmission is through surface contacts, stainless steel door handles and push-plates are being replaced by copper, along with bathroom taps, toilet flush-handles and grab rails. Even the pens used by the staff will be copper alloy. A similar ward next door will retain its traditional metal fittings and will act as a control in the experiment. If the laboratory results are successfully replicated, it is likely that thousands of hospitals across Europe will introduce copper-based fittings.

The hospital trust’s Deputy Medical Director, Professor Tom Elliott, says, “Potentially it is very, very exciting if we find that copper actually works in a clinical environment, following the laboratory tests in Southampton and here in Birmingham”. The tests have been showing striking results. The MRSA bacteria (staphylococci) on stainless steel remained fully active for days. On brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) they died in less than 5 hours and on pure copper the superbugs were eliminated in 30 minutes.

The Director of the Environmental Healthcare Unit at Southampton University, Professor Bill Keevil, says that copper suffocates the germs. “The metal reacts with the bacteria and inhibits their respiration – in effect it stops them breathing. In fact if you look back in the literature the Egyptians were using copper thousands of years ago to treat infections!” The tests show that it is not just MRSA that can be killed by copper. The newer threat, the extremely resistant Clostridium difficile can also be killed, as demonstrated by preliminary tests. And scientists are already considering wider medical applications for copper, including a possible defence against bird flu. Experiments by the Southampton team have shown that the metal can kill the human flu virus. Professor Keevil says, “Avian flu is almost identical to normal human flu, so, although we haven’t done the work yet, we would predict the same results”.

Press Conference, Brussels, 10.30 a.m., on 13th March 2007