Ray Peat on copper

January 3, 2026

The synergistic effects of copper with estrogen

"Copper appears to act synergistically with estrogen and could have a similar effect."

Nutrition for Women

Nutritional and hormone-related influences on cellular respiration

"Various nutritional, hormonal, or toxic conditions affect respiration in different ways: For example, vitamin E deficiency, estrogen excess, toxic hyperthyroidism, and DNP (the formerly popular, carcinogenic reducing agent) cause oxygen to be consumed without producing the normal amount of usable energy. A deficiency in vitamin B2 or copper can prevent oxygen consumption. Cancer (contrary to a persistent establishment belief) involves a respiratory defect and causes a predisposition to hypoglycemia, which is often compensated for by the conversion of protein to sugar, leading to terminal wasting (cachexia)."

Nutrition for Women

Dietary relief of tension caused by copper or estrogen

"Tension caused by excess copper or estrogen can be alleviated through diet. A zinc supplement is usually necessary – about 20 mg per day; approximately 30 mg of vitamin B6 has been recommended for this problem, although the required amount varies from person to person. The other B vitamins, as well as vitamins E and A, should also be taken."

Nutrition for Women

Links between mental health and hormonal and metal imbalances

"The high concentrations of copper, iron and lead found in many people with mental health problems could be a secondary result of a hormonal disorder."

Nutrition for Women

The oxidative effect of copper on vitamin C and diseases

"Copper is a specific oxidizing agent for vitamin C. It is associated with many inflammatory diseases and should probably be better studied in degenerative diseases, including arthritis and glaucoma."

Nutrition for Women

Zinc deficiency in association with estrogen excess and nutritional implications

"A zinc deficiency is often associated with a deficiency of vitamin B6 and an excess of copper; since estrogen is associated with zinc loss, other nutrients, including vitamin E and folic acid, should also be considered if the nails have white spots."

Nutrition for Women

Nutritional needs during pregnancy and their impact on development

"Better nutrition before and during pregnancy, as well as while breastfeeding, makes a big difference to the mental and physical development of the baby. Young pregnant women should take special care to avoid low blood sugar. Older women probably need slightly more vitamin E and should be particularly careful not to ingest toxic amounts of copper from their water supply or cooking utensils."

Nutrition for Women

Estrogen-induced changes in nutritional needs to maintain blood sugar levels and ensure a healthy pregnancy

"Vitamin E, vitamin A, and magnesium are other nutrients that help maintain blood sugar levels. Vitamin B12 is needed to utilize vitamin A. Folic acid, vitamin B6, and zinc are reduced by increased estrogen and are particularly important for a healthy pregnancy. Too much copper can lower blood sugar; too much iron can destroy vitamin E, and a vitamin E deficiency can lead to jaundice, which can affect the baby's brain."

Nutrition for Women

Nutritional changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding

"Pregnancy and breastfeeding increase all nutritional needs, with the possible exception of vitamin D, copper and iron."

Nutrition for Women

The immediate effects of a copper solution on hair pigmentation

"I found that a single application of a weak copper solution immediately restored the color of the eyebrows or about 10% of the sideburn hairs."

– Email response from Ray Peat

Copper deficiency and cellular iron overload

"Cells with low copper content, for example in the heart, become overloaded with iron."

June 1994 - Ray Peat's Newsletter

Aging process: Heavy metals, fats and copper loss

"The accumulation of iron and other heavy metals, as well as unsaturated fats, and the progressive loss of copper under the influence of the stress of darkness are probably the central events in the aging process."

February–March 1991 – Ray Peat's Newsletter (1)

The role of visible light in enzyme regeneration

"Ordinary visible light has several positive effects on animals. One of these is the regeneration of the enzyme SOD (superoxide dismutase) by causing its copper atom to re-bind to the protein."