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Cardiovascular effects of dietary copper deficiency
Author(s) -
Saari Jack T.,
Schuschke Dale A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
biofactors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1872-8081
pISSN - 0951-6433
DOI - 10.1002/biof.5520100406
Subject(s) - copper deficiency , medicine , arteriosclerosis , blood pressure , anemia , inflammation , hemodynamics , cardiology , blood clotting , endocrinology , physiology , copper , chemistry , organic chemistry
Dietary copper deficiency may impair cardiovascular health by contributing to high blood pressure, enhancement of inflammation, anemia, reduced blood clotting and arteriosclerosis. The purpose of this review is to compile information on the numerous changes of the heart, blood and blood vessels that may contribute to these cardiovascular defects. These alterations include weakened structural integrity of the heart and blood vessels, impairment of the use of energy by the heart, reduced ability of the heart to contract, altered ability of blood vessels to control their diameter and to grow, and altered structure and function of circulating blood cells. The fundamental causes of these changes rest largely on reduced effectiveness of enzymes that depend on copper for their activity.