Indeed, copper is essential for the pregnant mother as well as for the newborn baby and the infant.
All gynecological studies describe a progressive increase in the presence of copper in the mother's body during pregnancy, so that at the time of delivery there are values between double and triple those obtained in non-pregnant women.
The origin of these high levels of copper seems to be due, on the one hand, to an increase in absorption from the copper provided by the diet, and on the other to a decrease in its elimination, due to decreased biliary excretion and absence of losses. menstrual periods in the future mother, as well as changes in the hormonal balance.
These high levels of copper in the mother (hypercupremia) are essential to meet the high demands of the developing fetus, since the serum levels of the newborn are much higher than those found in adults.
Copper is considered an essential trace element and is part of multiple enzymatic systems essential for the human organism. The most important would undoubtedly be the breathing of the mother and the baby, which occurs at the level of each cell of the organism in cell organelles called mitochondria, where cytochrome C, decisive in the oxygen energy chain, needs copper ions, which make it possible for each cell and the individual to breathe incessantly.
During intrauterine life, the fetus receives copper through the placenta, and it is present in its body from very early times of gestation. However, the largest amounts of copper are transferred to it during the last trimester, partly due to the needs imposed by the high growth rate that exists during this period, and to contribute to the formation of deposits that allow it to ensure its postnatal status: The baby stores large reserves of copper that it will need after birth until it can consume food on its own, since breast milk is low in copper.
The full-term newborn has about 15 mg of copper, an amount three times higher than that of the adult, due to the high concentrations in the fetal liver, where more than half of the body's copper content is found, which will drop to 10%. .
The main mechanism of placental copper transport is presumably by passive diffusion, down the concentration gradient between the maternal and fetal sides. Although the umbilical plasma also allows the transport of copper between the mother and her son.
So, copper is decisive: It is involved in the formation of the brain and the nervous system (myelin, neurotransmitters), in that of the bones and in the formation of red blood cells and vessels and arteries of the circulatory system, among other fundamental tasks. The flow of copper in our brain plays a key role in the development of human thought, especially at the epigenetic level in children. This was determined by a recent study, which indicates that the Atp7a protein, responsible for transporting the mineral through our body, is vital in this process.
For all these reasons it is so important that pregnant women receive a daily dose of copper through nutrients or a prenatal vitamin supplement. With a balanced diet, most foods include a sufficient dose per day without the need for supplements.
We can find copper naturally in grains, such as brown rice and other whole grain cereals, nuts and dried fruits, legumes, shellfish, and chocolate.
After delivery , the copper needs of newborns are covered with the natural reserve acquired during pregnancy, and with small amounts of copper available in milk, both breast and formula. That is why it is essential that the mother who breastfeeds her baby continues to eat foods rich in copper.
Nuts in general are foods with a high copper content. 100 gr. of cashews contain 3.7 mg of copper, which is slightly more than the recommended daily value for people to eat. Walnuts and pipes follow with 2.3 mg, pistachios 1.3 mg, hazelnuts 1.2 mg and pine nuts and peanuts provide 1 mg.
Among the fruits, vegetables and vegetables that are characterized by being foods with a high copper content, are: Soybeans, lemons, blackberries, bananas, apricots, mushrooms, guava and pineapple, radishes and beans .
Today it is believed that copper could be more important for the health of the fetus than the mother's level of folic acid or that she stops smoking or drinking alcohol. The recommended dose of copper that a pregnant woman should ingest is between 3 mg. and 4mg. diaries. A very small quantity, which would fit on the head of a pin, but essential.
This relationship between women, femininity, fertility and copper were well sensed by our ancestors since Antiquity. Thus the symbol of the female gender in biology is the astrological sign of the planet Venus, and it coincides exactly with that of copper (established by medieval alchemists).
All of this owes its origins to ancient times in classical Greece and Rome, when the mythological protector of copper was the goddess Aphrodite or Venus. It is said that, just born from the waters of the sea, Venus was taken by the Zephyrs precisely to the coast of Cyprus, where she was welcomed by the Seasons (the Hours), a scene painted in the famous painting by Botticelli and taken up by Goya. The Hours dressed her and led her to the abode of the gods, and the island was therefore consecrated to the goddess, one of whose nicknames is Cypria , 'the Cypriot'.
Continuing in the mythological field, it is said that, feeling looked at and admired, Venus wanted to know the reason, and asked for an object in which to see herself reflected. She was given a sheet of copper, and she was so satisfied with the vision of herself that the metal provided her, that she made a mirror out of it. In fact, the Romans used to make these mirror-like objects out of polished metal (mainly copper and bronze), and associated them with the goddess.
Later in the 19th century Linnaeus proposed in biology that the symbolic icon of the feminine, came referring to that Venus contemplating herself reflected in copper:
On the spring day of Mother, of the fertile Mediterranean Venus and of copper, we propose that you give yourself a visit to our Spa Cobre 29 at the Hotel Melià Valencia, with a special tasting that we will offer you, based on dried fruits , rich in copper. With special attention to 100% organic, natural dehydrated pineapple with no added sugar. Pineapple is one of the most diuretic and detoxifying fruits, much of its composition is water and fiber. Dried pineapple contains vitamin C, B1 and B2. It is a fruit with cholic acid and minerals, highlighting among them copper, followed by manganese, potassium, magnesium and iron.
All of this included in the delicate and surprising menu of massages, baths and copper therapy that we will offer you on Mother's Day, at Spa Cobre 29, like every day of the year, always thinking about your well-being, health and relaxation.
