Copper on the Brain
Don't forget copper, your child's brain may depend on it.New findings show that maintaining adequate amounts of copper in your diet may be vital in fetal brain function and development.
In a study using rats as the test subject, it was reported that biologist Cutiss Hunt showed moderate copper deprivation caused underdevelopment of memory-control areas of pups' brains. The pups showed slower development compared to a controlled group born from mothers with sufficient amounts of copper in their diets.
Why is this important for pregnant women to know?
In the study, the specific areas of the brain that were affected-the dentate gyrus and hippocampus-are linked to higher brain functions, such as learning.
Although you may not see or hear about many copper deficiency warnings, approximately 8 to 16 percent of childbearing-age women have copper-deficient diets, according to the Agricultural Research Service. Cu
Also in this Issue:
- Brooklyn's Buried Treasure Saved by City
- The Killing Game: Using Copper to Battle Deadly Bacteria
- Pumping Copper
- CDA Launches Architectural Awards Program
- Copper on the Brain
- Covered in Copper: New 787 Dreamliner Includes 57 Miles of Copper