In recent posts I’ve been talking about the life-changing epiphany that I’m never going to change my life and start winning unless I focus on finally fixing my health issues first. And that rabbit hole has led me here. To trying to fix 10 years of fatigue and brain fog with one magic pill – in this case copper. I’ve invested my hopes and dreams of recovery in many magic pills before hoping each time that it might finally be the missing piece. So why should this time be any different? Well I’ve been trying to crack the code of this histamine intolerance bullshit for years. So, whilst I may be misguided once again, there’s a good deal of theory and research behind the hypothesis that copper might cure my histamine intolerance.
Copper is vital for the body to produce DAO – the enzyme that clears histamine in our guts. But copper supplementation is not commonly advocated for due to fears of copper toxicity. Which is of course a legitimate concern. However zinc supplementation is extremely prevalent – and for good reason. BUT, after my experience I would never again supplement zinc without copper. The two exist in a delicate balance with an ideal ratio of about 8-12:1 zinc to copper, where too much of one can inhibit the absorption of the other. In my case, on Doctor’s orders, I have been supplementing on and off with upwards of 40mg of Zinc daily for months at a time over the last 4 or 5 years. And in that time I have gone considerably grey with my beard being roughly half grey at the ripe-old age of 29!
Despite connecting all the dots to create a compelling copper hypothesis I was still hesitant to actually directly supplement copper. I fell for the toxicity fear-mongering. So I opted instead to dip a toe in with beef liver and oysters, after belatedly ceasing all zinc supplementation too of course. The promising early signs were too enticing. I want more! Plus oysters also have a bucketload of zinc in them so whilst I’m trying to reset the delicate balance, it makes sense to pull back a bit and focus on copper specifically.
So with today being day 1 (I took it at 6.30 this morning after enjoying a couple of hot cross buns post workout) I’m obviously not here to report any life-changing effects yet. But rather to signal an intent to document my experience, and to share my cautious optimism.
Though if I was to ever so cautiously report on my very, very early findings, I would say that I have so far enjoyed a morning of very little sneezing or eye scratchiness despite operating on about 5 hours sleep after waking @4.30AM to go to the gym, and smashing two coffees + my hot cross buns (which were chocolate!)…. Just saying…
Watch this space.
Cheers,
Remy.
Toomanymind 