Hormonal weight gain can be tied to thyroid balance. Besides being effected by iodine, your thyroid can be suppressed by an elevated copper level. Copper, like iodine, can also inhibit the conversion of the thyroid hormone thyroxin, resulting in a slowdown of metabolism. In my experience with tissue mineral analysis (TMA) over the past two decades, I have observed that an elevated tissue level of copper ratio is frequently linked with hypothyroidism, especially when the zinc-to-copper ratio is higher than ten to one (ideal is eight to one in favor of zinc). In fact, women with low zinc levels also tend to have high copper, a connection that I’ve found in 70 to 80 percent of women. Zinc is typically very deficient in vegetarians, individuals under stress, and those who don’t eat zinc-rich sources of foods such as red meat, eggs, and pumpkin seeds.
A copper-zinc imbalance also affects the liver’s ability to detoxify. Copper and zinc are both needed to activate key liver enzymes; if they are out of balance, your liver is out of balance. This leaves the liver less able to eliminate toxins, including excess copper. The result is a cycle of high copper and poor liver function.
Copper levels seem to rise and fall in tandem with estrogen levels. If you are deficient in zinc, the balancing mineral to copper, and / or lacking in progesterone, the hormone that balances estrogen, copper levels tend to rise. Weight gain as well as frontal headaches, menstrual irregularities, food cravings, mood swings, fatigue, depression, and yeast infections are all common symptoms of copper overload.
Lowered adrenal gland activity is another key culprit behind high copper levels. Interestingly, TMA test results from my clinical experience show that seven out of ten women have weak adrenal glands. Adrenal gland activity is required to stimulate the liver’s production of ceruloplasmin, the leading copper-binding protein. With diminished adrenal activity, unbound copper starts to gather in various tissues, organs, and glands – such as the thyroid.
There are many external sources for copper exposure. Copper occurs naturally in drinking water in some areas and in others it is actually added to the municipal water sources as copper sulfate. Copper water pipes, copper cookware, birth control pills, copper IUDs, dental fillings, and crowns – all put you at risk for copper overload. But the interesting thing is that the typical plant-based menu contains a high-copper and low-zinc assortment of foods. Add to this a diet high in phytate-rich grains (such as whole grains) known to lower zinc levels, and the trouble becomes twofold.
The truth is we need only a pinch of copper in our bodies. The average person ingests 2.5 to 5.0 milligrams of copper per day; those who eat a vegan diet typically take in more. The range that is considered safe and adequate to meet our needs is 1.5 to 3.0 milligrams per day; the recommended dietary intake for adults is 2.0. In light of the copper overload from the environment, controlling dietary copper is paramount.
My New Fat Flush Plan is a copper-controlled diet. I have made sure to correct the copper-zinc imbalance by cutting down on copper-rich foods such as tea, chocolate, soy, and excess nuts and seeds. The Plan is high in zinc to support progesterone production. Do check it out here to learn more about hormones and other root causes for weight loss resistance.