What does the body need copper for, and why take it separately? — Swanson Copper 2 mg, 300 tablets

Copper is a trace element: the body needs it in very small amounts, but it takes part in several important processes at once. Its main role is in enzyme reactions, meaning copper helps enzyme proteins do their job.

Key processes in which copper is involved:

• Use of iron. Even when iron comes from food, its proper metabolism also requires other substances, including copper.
• Formation of haemoglobin and red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues.
• Synthesis of collagen and other structural proteins, which is why copper is linked to the condition of bones, connective tissue, skin and blood vessels.

A separate copper supplement is usually chosen when you want to gently top up the diet with this mineral, for example when your meals are monotonous. It is not a quick-fix product and not a replacement for a balanced diet, but a way of filling in the diet where it may be incomplete.