Friday, January 24, 2014

IIIB. Metal Metabolism, Copper, Paranoia and Voices

Both copper over-accumulation, and problems with metal metabolism itself, can play a pivotal role in turning histapenic anxiety or hyperactivity into full-blown schizophrenia, replete with voices, psychosis and paranoia.

Role of copper 

Copper is critical in bone, connective tissue, blood, and brain. 
It is also a crucial component of SOD, a key antioxidant enzyme made inside the body.
However, excess copper is overstimulating. In fact, 10 mg copper creates an equivalent stimulating effect to a dose of dexedrine.

Copper is also pro-oxidant and, in excess, can increase oxidative stress.

So you need to get adequate copper, but not so much that it causes adverse symptoms.
In histapenics and pyrolurics with schizophrenia, and particularly with paranoid schizophrenia, copper is almost always excessive, and out of balance with zinc, which is almost always depleted.
Excess levels can drive voices, paranoia, insomnia and hypomania.
See more on copper at: http://www.arltma.com/Articles/CopperElimDoc.htm
 

Role of metal metabolism

Excessive copper is a good diagnostic indicator of poor metal metabolism —
specifically, of inadequate enzymes (called metallothioneins or MTs) which metabolize, transport and eliminate divalent metals like copper, iron, and various heavy metals. MTs also serve as potent antioxidants.
Poor metal metabolism leaves the body prey to accumulation of toxic metals and to ever increasing oxidative stress. 


Nutrients which support metal metabolism

Vitamin C — Critical to elimination of excess metals.
Zinc — Critical in eliminating and counterblance copper.
Manganese and B6 (or P5P) — important to metal metabolism. The manganese/B6/zinc ratio may need to be adjusted.
Niacin —used in metal metabolism, and works on receptors to counterbalance dopamine stimulation.
Molybdenum — Important to copper metabolism, particularly for many people with pronounced allergies and high urinary sulfite who show correspondingly low levels.
Vitamin C and E, selenium, other antioxidants — Offer protection against peroxidation due to overstimulation and to elevated copper.
NAC — Critical to MT function in decreasing copper and toxic metals. Introduced slowly, and only after at least three months of zinc, and other nutrients. NAC can cause severe symptoms if given too early.
Limit copper! Even a multiple with 2 mg copper can trigger paranoia in susceptible individuals. Avoid heavy metal exposure. 

In some cases, a nutrient combo finely tailored to metallothionein creation may be needed.

Reminder: This information is presented for educational purposes only, and is not intended as diagnosis or treatment recommendations for the individual. Even within the histapenic subgroup, everyone's biochemical requirements are unique.  Copper is important to health and should only be avoided if levels are detrimental. So if you need treatment for schizophrenia, bipolar, or any other medical condition, please consult a knowledgeable physician.

For more  on histapenia, copper and schizophrenia, plus a free educational consult, get my book Natural Healing for Schizophrenia at:
              http://boragebooks.com/orderBooks.html
If you want to contact me, click here.
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