Copper bracelets have been shown (I read once) to have a significant impact on rheumatoid arthritis in ankles and wrists. Many, however, suffer this debilitating disease in areas that bracelets will not easily fit around. Also, the local health food store claims that it is easy to overdose on copper tablets (athough I cannot find confirmation of that anywhere).
So, I propose a copper patch, along the lines of the nicotine one, allowing you to absorb trace amounts of copper in the awkward places that arthritis strikes - the lower back, shoulders, knees, etc.
(I'd post links, but all I can find are unreliable New Age mumbo-jumbo, or incomprehensible medical geek-speak.)-- DrCurry, Sep 30 2002 Copper link http://www.hollanda...com/Supp/Copper.htmThis site sells "supplements", but the info looks pretty balanced. [Amos Kito, Oct 01 2002, last modified Oct 21 2004] Alzheimer's and copper http://www.drfeely....ume_2002_12_1_c.htmThere is a positive correlation. [pluterday, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] Alzheimer's, copper, zinc and iron http://www.infoagin...alz-9-r-metals.htmlA study in mice. [pluterday, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] An old drug reduces senile plaques by neutralizing copper. http://www.intelihe...2.html?d=dmtICNNewsThe effect of Clioquinol on Alzheimer's. [pluterday, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] EDTA Chelation Therapy for Heavy Metal Toxicity http://www.edta-ora...lation-therapy.net/ [pluterday, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004] mike999's link http://www.mantraware.com [DrCurry, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004] Copper cream http://nutri.com/wn/There is a cream called Arth-Relief that delivers copper transdermally. [DaveYost, Jul 13 2006] I take one 3mg chelated copper tablet and I have two options before me: eat something immediately or puke.
Re: physiological applications of copper. Review copper intrauterine devices (IUD). Current research suggests they are comparatively safe.-- reensure, Sep 30 2002 anyone possibly thinking of taking a copper supplement for their haemorrhoids?-- po, Oct 02 2002 Anyone gonna publicly admit they even have em?-- blissmiss, Oct 02 2002 My mate in the SAS wears a copper bracelet, all day, every day. His wrist is pretty much permanently tattooed green from it.-- General Washington, Oct 02 2002 po: huh?
GW: but does he have arthritis?
[phoenix: sp corrected.]-- DrCurry, Oct 02 2002 I have arthritis in my knees and have occasionally resorted the sticking some pennies onto my knees with tape, and this has helped. So, I give you a croissant for a more convenient solution.-- baron555, Oct 03 2002 No arthritis. But there again, no girlfriend either. Who'd date a guy who wears jewelry? So take your pick.-- General Washington, Oct 03 2002 this site sells copper patches that stick to the back of your wristwatch. I tried one and it worked for me: www.mantraware.com-- mike999, Feb 08 2003 Penn & Teller's new show Bullshit just had a great show debunking made up medicine, including magnets, accupressure, and using chiropractics for fixing anything but your back. They managed to convince some people that letting snails crawl over your face will cure your ails. People will buy anything.-- notme, Feb 08 2003 I used to take copper supplements, but then gave it up when new research showed a link between copper and Alzheimer's. See the Alzheimer's and copper link above. Now I take EDTA occasionally, to get rid of excess heavy metals.-- pluterday, Feb 08 2003 Sheesh, well, something's gojng to get you in the end. (In this context, I note that two glasses of red wine a day dramatically lower your risk of heart disease, while elsewhere, two glasses of wine a day make you an alcoholic.)
Alzheimer's has a substantial genetic component, so the fate of your forebears should impinge on your use of copper supplements. However, I also imagine (hope?) that the trace amounts of copper absorbed into your skin from a patch or bracelet would be too low to trigger detrimental effects.-- DrCurry, Feb 09 2003 random, halfbakery