The tiny mineral linked to tiredness, brain fog and sharper minds — what new studies say and how Thais can get enough
A cluster of recent reports and scientific papers has put a spotlight on copper, a micronutrient most people think about only in passing. New analyses of large US datasets suggest that modestly higher dietary copper is associated with better cognitive test scores in people aged 60 and over, while long‑running brain autopsy research links higher brain copper with slower cognitive decline and less Alzheimer’s pathology. At the same time, clinicians warn that true copper deficiency — while uncommon — can cause persistent fatigue, numbness and balance problems, and that certain patients (bariatric surgery, malabsorption, heavy zinc use) are at risk. For ordinary readers the takeaway is practical: most people can meet needs with a varied diet that includes shellfish, liver, nuts, seeds, tofu and whole grains, but anyone with unexplained fatigue or neurological symptoms should consult a doctor rather than self‑supplement. (Sources: Telegraph [news summary], Scientific Reports [NHANES analysis], NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, MAP autopsy study.) See links in the text for full sources.