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Research · Supplements

Copper

Copper supplements did not change cholesterol in pooled trials, or cognition in a 12-month Alzheimer's trial. Copper bracelets did not change pain in rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. In copper deficiency myelopathy, often linked to high zinc, copper halted further decline. A cohort linked high copper intake with faster cognitive decline in people eating high-fat diets.

Add to Bio HackChecked 2026-11-09
Status
Dietary supplement in the US.
Also called
Cu, copper gluconate, copper bisglycinate, cupric oxide, copper sulfate, copper orotate, copper bracelets
Taken for
arthritis, joint pain, cholesterol, heart health, brain health, Alzheimer's disease, immunity, anemia, hair, skin, balancing zinc

Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on

Shown to help1

Reported risks1

What people take it for, and what was found

Shown to help1

Limited

Copper deficiency myelopathy

Case reports: in 13 adults with copper deficiency myelopathy, copper restored levels and prevented further neurological decline, with varied recovery.

The numbers and sources
Effect
All 13 patients had gait difficulty from spinal cord damage, and all had nerve damage. Oral copper restored normal or near-normal levels in 7 of 12 with follow-up, and IV copper in 3 more. Copper prevented further neurological decline, and the degree of recovery varied [5]. Serum zinc was high or high-normal in 7 of 11 tested [5].
Population
13 adults in a case series at one center [5].
Sources
[5]
Caveats
A case series without controls. Excess zinc is one documented cause of copper deficiency, including anemia, low white cells and neuropathy [6].

Not shown to help3

Moderate

Cholesterol

Not shown to change total, LDL or HDL cholesterol in 5 small trials.

The numbers and sources
Effect
Copper did not change total cholesterol (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.52 to 0.43), LDL (SMD 0.22, 95% CI -0.46 to 0.89) or HDL (SMD 0.18, 95% CI -0.14 to 0.49) against control [1].
Population
176 participants in 5 trials [1].
Sources
[1]
Caveats
Few, small trials.
Moderate

Arthritis pain (copper bracelets)

Not shown to change pain, stiffness or function in rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis when worn as a copper bracelet.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In rheumatoid arthritis, a copper bracelet worn for 5 weeks did not differ from placebo devices on pain, inflammation, physical function or disease activity (P > 0.05) [2]. In osteoarthritis, pain, stiffness and function did not differ between a copper bracelet and the other devices [3].
Population
70 people with painful rheumatoid arthritis aged 33 to 79 [2]; 45 people with osteoarthritis [3], all from general practices in Yorkshire, England.
Sources
[2], [3]
Caveats
Crossover trials of worn devices, not oral copper.
Limited

Alzheimer's disease

One pilot trial found 8 mg a day did not change memory and thinking scores over 12 months in 68 people with mild Alzheimer's.

The numbers and sources
Effect
Over 12 months, 8 mg a day of copper as copper orotate did not change ADAS-Cog or MMSE scores against placebo [4].
Population
68 people with mild Alzheimer's disease [4].
Sources
[4]
Caveats
One pilot phase 2 trial.

Doses studied

The Alzheimer's trial used 8 mg of copper a day [4]. A small safety trial used 10 mg a day as copper gluconate for 12 weeks [7]. EFSA sets a tolerable upper intake level of 5 mg a day for adults and has not defined one for pregnancy and lactation. In 2023 its Scientific Committee set an acceptable daily intake of 0.07 mg per kg of body weight [8].

Risks

Reported risks1

Limited

Faster cognitive decline with high intake and high-fat diets

Linked to faster cognitive decline in adults aged 65 or older with high copper intake on diets high in saturated and trans fats. No link appeared without high-fat diets.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In people eating diets high in saturated and trans fats, those in the top fifth of copper intake (median 2.75 mg a day) declined faster than those in the bottom fifth (median 0.88 mg). The difference was -6.14 standardized units a year, which the authors equate to 19 more years of age. The association rose with copper dose in vitamin supplements. People not eating high-fat diets showed no association [9].
Population
3,718 Chicago residents aged 65 or older, followed 6 years [9].
Sources
[9]
Caveats
One observational cohort with intake from food frequency questionnaires. The 12-month Alzheimer's trial found no change in cognition on 8 mg a day [4].

Checked, no increase found1

Limited

Stomach side effects

One very small trial found nausea, diarrhea and heartburn equally common on 10 mg a day of copper and on placebo over 12 weeks.

The numbers and sources
Effect
On 10 mg a day for 12 weeks, nausea, diarrhea and heartburn were reported equally on copper and placebo. Liver enzymes, cholesterol and blood copper did not change [7].
Population
7 adults on copper in a double-blind trial [7].
Sources
[7]
Caveats
Very small and short.

Claims tested and not found

  1. That copper bracelets ease arthritis pain. Two crossover trials found no difference from placebo devices [2][3].
  2. That copper slows Alzheimer's disease. Cognition did not differ from placebo over 12 months [4].
  3. That copper lowers cholesterol. Pooled trials found no change in total, LDL or HDL cholesterol [1].

Sources

  1. Wang S, Wang N, Pan D, et al. Effects of Copper Supplementation on Blood Lipid Level: a Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis on Randomized Clinical Trials. Biological Trace Element Research. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-020-02423-1
  2. Richmond SJ, Gunadasa S, Bland M, et al. Copper Bracelets and Magnetic Wrist Straps for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Crossover Trial. PLoS ONE. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0071529
  3. Richmond SJ, Brown SR, Campion PD, et al. Therapeutic effects of magnetic and copper bracelets in osteoarthritis: A randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2009.07.002
  4. Kessler H, Bayer TA, Bach D, et al. Intake of copper has no effect on cognition in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease: a pilot phase 2 clinical trial. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-008-0080-1
  5. Kumar N, Gross JB, Ahlskog JE. Copper deficiency myelopathy produces a clinical picture like subacute combined degeneration. Neurology. 2004. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.WNL.0000132644.52613.FA
  6. Willis MS, Monaghan SA, Miller ML, et al. Zinc-Induced Copper Deficiency: a report of three cases initially recognized on bone marrow examination. American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2005. https://doi.org/10.1309/V6GVYW2QTYD5C5PJ
  7. Pratt WB, Omdahl JL, Sorenson JRJ. Lack of effects of copper gluconate supplementation. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1985. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/42.4.681
  8. European Food Safety Authority. Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels as derived by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) and the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Version 11. 2025. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/assets/UL_Summary_tables.pdf
  9. Morris MC, Evans DA, Tangney CC, et al. Dietary Copper and High Saturated and trans Fat Intakes Associated With Cognitive Decline. Archives of Neurology. 2006. https://doi.org/10.1001/archneur.63.8.1085

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