Copper (as TRAACS® Copper Bisglycinate Chelate)
Mechanism of Action +
### Coordination Chemistry of Copper Bisglycinate Copper bisglycinate is a fully reacted amino acid chelate where one copper ion (Cu2+) is bound to two molecules of the amino acid glycine. In this structure, the copper ion sits at the center of two heterocyclic rings, forming coordinate covalent bonds with the amine nitrogen and carboxyl oxygen of each glycine molecule. This 2:1 ligand-to-metal ratio creates a neutrally charged, stable compound. The TRAACS® (The Real Amino Acid Chelate System) technology ensures that the chelation process is fully complete, preventing the presence of free, unreacted copper ions. This stability is crucial because it prevents the copper from prematurely dissociating in the acidic environment of the stomach or reacting with dietary inhibitors like phytates, oxalates, or competing minerals (such as zinc and iron) in the small intestine.
### Pharmacokinetics and Absorption Pathways Inorganic copper salts (like copper sulfate or copper oxide) must be ionized in the stomach and absorbed via specific mineral ion transporters in the small intestine, such as Copper Transporter 1 (CTR1). This pathway is highly competitive and easily saturated. In contrast, copper bisglycinate bypasses these traditional mineral channels. Because the copper is hidden within the glycine molecules, the intestinal mucosa recognizes the compound as a dipeptide. It is absorbed primarily through dipeptide transporters (such as PEPT1) located on the apical membrane of enterocytes. Once inside the enterocyte, cytoplasmic peptidases cleave the glycine bonds, releasing the copper ion for intracellular use or transport into the portal circulation via the ATP7A transporter. This alternative absorption route significantly enhances bioavailability and prevents the gastrointestinal irritation commonly associated with free copper ions.
### Enzymatic Cofactor Functions Once absorbed and distributed, copper is incorporated into over a dozen essential cuproenzymes.
**Cytochrome c Oxidase (Complex IV):** Copper is an indispensable component of cytochrome c oxidase, the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It facilitates the transfer of electrons to molecular oxygen, reducing it to water and driving the proton gradient required for ATP synthesis. Without adequate copper, cellular energy production is severely impaired.
**Superoxide Dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD):** Copper is the catalytic core of cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3). These antioxidant enzymes catalyze the dismutation of highly reactive superoxide radicals into ordinary molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, protecting cells from oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.
**Lysyl Oxidase:** This extracellular enzyme requires copper to catalyze the oxidative deamination of lysine and hydroxylysine residues in collagen and elastin precursors. This process forms the covalent cross-links that give connective tissues, cartilage, bone, and blood vessels their structural integrity and tensile strength.
**Ceruloplasmin and Hephaestin:** Copper is essential for iron metabolism. Ceruloplasmin (in the blood) and hephaestin (in the intestinal mucosa) are copper-dependent ferroxidases. They oxidize toxic ferrous iron (Fe2+) to the safer ferric form (Fe3+), which is required for iron to bind to transferrin and be transported to the bone marrow for red blood cell synthesis. Copper deficiency often manifests as secondary iron-deficiency anemia because iron becomes trapped in tissues.
**Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase:** In the nervous system, this copper-dependent enzyme catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, a critical neurotransmitter involved in the sympathetic nervous system, mood regulation, and cognitive focus.
**Tyrosinase:** Copper is required for the activity of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of skin and hair.
What are the benefits of copper Bisglycinate chelate? +
What is TRAACS copper? +
Is chelated copper the same as copper bisglycinate? +
What's the best form of copper supplement to take? +
What not to take with copper bisglycinate? +
What should copper supplements not be taken with? +
Are there any side effects to taking copper supplements? +
When is the best time to take copper bisglycinate? +
Why do I need copper if I take zinc? +
Does copper bisglycinate cause nausea? +
Can copper help with anemia? +
How much copper bisglycinate should I take daily? +
Does copper bisglycinate help with gray hair? +
Is copper bisglycinate safe for everyone? +
How does copper support joint health? +
Everything About Copper (as TRAACS® Copper Bisglycinate Chelate) Article
## What is Copper Bisglycinate Chelate?
Copper is an essential trace mineral that your body cannot produce on its own. It plays a foundational role in human physiology, acting as a spark plug for over a dozen critical enzymes (metalloenzymes) that govern everything from the energy produced in your cells to the strength of your joints and the color of your hair.
However, not all copper supplements are created equal. **Copper Bisglycinate Chelate**, particularly the trademarked **TRAACS®** (The Real Amino Acid Chelate System) form developed by Balchem Corporation, represents the pinnacle of mineral supplementation technology. In this form, a single copper ion is chemically bound (chelated) to two molecules of the amino acid glycine.
This specific structure is highly significant. Inorganic copper forms, like copper sulfate, are notorious for causing severe nausea and are easily blocked from absorption by other nutrients in your diet. By hiding the copper ion inside two amino acids, TRAACS® Copper Bisglycinate bypasses the standard, highly competitive mineral absorption pathways in the gut. Instead, your body absorbs it as if it were a protein, resulting in vastly superior bioavailability and a virtually non-existent rate of gastrointestinal distress.
## The Zinc-Copper Balancing Act
One of the most common reasons people seek out Copper Bisglycinate is to correct an imbalance caused by another popular supplement: Zinc.
Zinc is widely used for immune support, testosterone optimization, and skin health. However, zinc and copper are antagonistic; they compete for absorption in the small intestine. When you consume high doses of zinc (typically anything over 30-50mg per day for extended periods), your body produces a protein called metallothionein in the intestinal cells. Metallothionein binds to metals to prevent toxicity, but it has a much higher affinity for copper than for zinc. As a result, it traps copper in the intestinal cells, which are eventually shed and excreted, leading to a stealthy but severe copper deficiency.
Symptoms of zinc-induced copper deficiency include unexplained fatigue, joint pain, frequent illnesses, and a specific type of anemia that doesn't improve with iron supplements. Taking a highly absorbable copper supplement like TRAACS® Copper Bisglycinate (usually at a 2mg dose) is the most effective way to maintain this critical mineral ratio.
## Key Health Benefits of Copper Bisglycinate
### 1. Cellular Energy Production (ATP) If you feel chronically fatigued, your mitochondria might be starving for copper. Copper is an irreplaceable component of *cytochrome c oxidase*, the final enzyme in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This enzyme is responsible for the final step of converting the food you eat and the oxygen you breathe into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell. Without adequate copper, cellular respiration bottlenecks, leading to systemic fatigue and lethargy.
### 2. Joint, Bone, and Connective Tissue Health Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, providing the structural framework for your skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones. However, collagen is useless if it isn't properly cross-linked. Copper activates an enzyme called *lysyl oxidase*, which weaves individual collagen and elastin fibers together into a strong, flexible matrix. Copper deficiency can lead to weak, injury-prone connective tissues and accelerated skin aging.
### 3. Antioxidant Defense Your body is constantly under attack from oxidative stress caused by exercise, pollution, and normal metabolism. Copper is the core component of *Superoxide Dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD)*, one of the body's most powerful endogenous antioxidant enzymes. SOD seeks out and neutralizes superoxide radicals—highly destructive molecules that damage DNA and cellular membranes—converting them into harmless oxygen and water.
### 4. Iron Metabolism and Blood Health Many people who think they have an iron deficiency actually have a copper deficiency. Copper is required to produce *ceruloplasmin*, a protein that transports copper in the blood but also acts as an enzyme to oxidize iron. Iron must be oxidized by ceruloplasmin before it can be loaded onto transferrin and carried to the bone marrow to make red blood cells. Without copper, iron gets trapped in your liver and tissues, leading to anemia.
### 5. Nervous System and Cognitive Function Copper is vital for a healthy brain and nervous system. It is required for the synthesis of myelin, the protective sheath that insulates nerve fibers and ensures rapid signal transmission. Additionally, copper is a cofactor for *dopamine beta-hydroxylase*, the enzyme that converts dopamine into norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter essential for alertness, focus, and mood regulation.
## Why Choose TRAACS® Copper Bisglycinate?
When shopping for a copper supplement, the label matters immensely. The TRAACS® designation guarantees that the mineral is a "fully reacted" chelate. Many cheaper supplements claim to be "amino acid complexes," which often means they simply mixed copper sulfate with some amino acids in a vat, resulting in a product that still causes nausea and poor absorption.
TRAACS® utilizes patented technology to ensure the coordinate covalent bonds between the copper and the glycine are fully formed and stable. This guarantees that the mineral survives the acidic environment of the stomach and reaches the dipeptide transporters in the small intestine intact.
## Dosage Guidelines
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for copper is 0.9mg per day for adults. However, clinical supplementation—especially when balancing zinc intake—typically ranges from **1.5mg to 2.0mg per day**.
Because TRAACS® Copper Bisglycinate is so efficiently absorbed, there is rarely a need to exceed 2mg daily unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider to correct a diagnosed deficiency. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for copper is 10mg per day; exceeding this can lead to copper toxicity, which causes liver damage and neurological issues.
## Potential Side Effects and Safety
When taken at recommended doses (1.5-2mg), Copper Bisglycinate is incredibly safe and well-tolerated. Unlike copper sulfate, the bisglycinate form is highly unlikely to cause nausea or stomach cramps.
However, individuals with **Wilson's disease**—a rare genetic disorder that prevents the liver from excreting excess copper—must strictly avoid copper supplements, as it can lead to fatal copper accumulation in the brain and liver. If you have a history of severe liver disease, consult your physician before adding copper to your regimen.