Washington, Jan 21 (IANS) High levels of copper and iron, beneficial to people in the reproductive age, may actually damage cells in older people, leading to Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and other age-related disorders.
A new report suggests specific steps that older consumers, particularly those over 50, can take to avoid build-up of unhealthy amounts of these metals in their bodies.

“This story of copper and iron toxicity, which I think is reaching the level of public health significance, is virtually unknown to the general medical community, to say nothing of complete unawareness of the public,” said George Brewer, who led the study.

Brewer teaches human genetics and internal medicine at the University of Michigan (UM), Medical School Ann Arbor.

The report points out that copper and iron are essential nutrients for life, with high levels actually beneficial to the reproductive health of younger people.

After age 50, however, high levels of these metals can damage cells in ways that may contribute to a range of age-related diseases, said an UM release.

“It seems clear that large segments of the population are at risk for toxicities from free copper and free iron, and to me, it seems clear that preventive steps should begin now,” said Brewer.

These findings were published in Chemical Research in Toxicology.