Understanding copper homeostasis in humans and copper effects on health

Concern about human exposure to copper derives from the fact that virtually all individuals are exposed to it in one way or another, yet the knowledge about the effects of chronic excess copper on human health is clearly insufficient. Cu is an essential micronutrient that participates in several processes crucial for life, but at the same time, it may be toxic to cell membranes, DNA and proteins when accumulated in excess (1, 6, 10). In man, mechanisms regulate uptake, efflux, storage and utilization of Cu preventing adverse effects due to excess within a rather wide range of (dietary) exposure. Cu handling appears