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Contact: Michael Bernstein
m_bernstein@acs.org
202-872-6042
American Chemical Society 

Consumers over age 50 should consider steps to cut copper and iron intake

		IMAGE: Copper from home plumbing is one metal that may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other age-related disorders. Click here for more information.

With scientific evidence linking high levels of copper and iron to Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and other age-related disorders, a new report in ACS'Chemical Research in Toxicology suggests specific steps that older consumers can take to avoid build up of unhealthy amounts of these metals in their bodies. "This story of copper and iron toxicity, which I think is reaching the level of public health significance, is virtually unknown to the general medical community, to say nothing of complete unawareness of the public," George Brewer states in the report.

The article points out that copper and iron are essential nutrients for life, with high levels actually beneficial to the reproductive health of younger people. After age 50, however, high levels of these metals can damage cells in ways that may contribute to a range of age-related diseases.

"It seems clear that large segments of the population are at risk for toxicities from free copper and free iron, and to me, it seems clear that preventive steps should begin now." The article details those steps for people over age 50, including avoiding vitamin and mineral pills that contain cooper and iron; lowering meat intake: avoiding drinking water from copper pipes; donating blood regularly to reduce iron levels; and taking zinc supplements to lower copper levels.

ARTICLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
"Risks of Copper and Iron Toxicity during Aging in Humans"

DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT ARTICLE 
http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/tx900338d

CONTACT: 
George Brewer, M.D. 
Departments of Human Genetics and Internal Medicine 
Morton S. and Henrietta K. Sellner Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics 
Emeritus Professor of Internal Medicine 
University of Michigan Medical School 
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48109-5618 
Phone: 734-395-1070 
Fax: 734-332-7878 
Email: brewergj@umich.edu