Copper Deficiency

In your small intestine, zinc and copper fight for absorption. Zinc doses over the approved UL might impair your body's capacity to absorb copper. This can lead to a copper shortage over time. Copper is a necessary mineral. It is required for red blood cell synthesis because it assists in iron absorption and metabolism. It is also involved in the production of white blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, whereas white blood cells play an important role in your immune system.

The copper shortage caused by zinc is linked to a number of blood disorders:

• Iron deficiency anemia: A shortage of healthy red blood cells caused by a lack of iron in your body.
• Sideroblastic anemia: A deficiency of healthy red blood cells caused by an inability to correctly digest iron.
• Neutropenia is the absence of healthy white blood cells as a result of a disturbance in their development.