.:FEATURED ARTICLE:.

Copper - An Essential Nutrient     Copper. It has a multitude of benefits. We wear it; we cook with it; we decorate with it; and we work with it. But, one of the most important uses of copper is as a dietary supplement. We can't live without it. Our bodies require a certain amount of copper, on a regular basis, to function properly. Copper, in the proper amount, is necessary to allow your body to use iron.   You can find copper in natural foods, such as nuts, seeds, beans, chickpeas. Recent surveys, however, indicate that our normal diet is provides only about half of the recommended dietary allowance of copper each day. That recommendation is 0.4 to 1mg/day for 1-3 year olds, 1 to 1.5 mg/day for 4 to 6 year olds, 1 to 2 mg/day for 7 to 10 year olds, 1.5 to 2.5 mg/day for adult males, and 1.5 to 3 mg/day for adult females.   Because copper has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, it was used for many, many years as a healing agent; to treat wounds. It was also used to treat those who were afflicted with skin diseases. We still, to this day, use copper as a remedy to treat skin disorders, wounds and burns.   Today, copper is quickly becoming a vital treatment in a number of common health issues. Anemia, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and strokes, to name a few. There are some illnesses that may also deplete the copper level in the body, therefore, requiring it to be replenished. Such conditions, like intestinal disease, which leads to diarrhea; kidney and pancreas disease; and untreated high levels of stress. There are those who swear by the copper bracelets for alleviating pain.   It has long been observed that copper has a definite impact on the immune system. It's been documented that people who were subjected to the same diseases, but worked with copper, didn't contract the illness at the same rate as those who didn't work with the copper. And, since the immune system is what keeps us healthy and helps us fight off disease and infection, keeping it strong is the best plan for optimum health.