High Copper, Metallothionein, Mental Health & Cancer
The Value of Copper & Zinc Levels Beyond Brain Health
I’d like to introduce you to Metallothionein - a protein (and antioxidant) like no other - one that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I’m on a mission to change that.
As I mentioned in recent newsletters, metallothioneins regulate copper and zinc. When it comes to brain health, we (Walsh trained doctors) know that the copper zinc ratio is a pretty good indicator of how well metallothioneins are doing their job. But metallothioneins appear to be involved in other health conditions, including cancer. Because of that, it would seem that a serum copper, plasma zinc and their ratio, would have other health implications. And it would seem that supporting these metallothioneins would be important for non-psychiatric health conditions as well. But first...
What Are Metallothioneins (MT)?
A family of proteins.
They consist of amino acids, 20 of them are cysteines.
They are bound to certain essential metals (zinc as shown in the image)
Normally they have a high affinity for essential metals such as copper and zinc, but they also have a high affinity for toxic metals like mercury, cadmium and others.
Where are They?
Throughout the body
The brain
GI tract
Gut blood barrier
Blood brain barrier
What Causes Them To Be Made?
7 genes have been identified.
MTF-1 (another gene) regulates the expression of the MT’s. Zinc is the only recognized metal that activates MTF-1 (!!!)
Oxidative stress. If our body and/or brain have an insult, more MT’s are made.
Injury
Illness
Emotional stress
Exposure to toxic metals
Hormones
Inflammatory mediators (cytokines)
Why Are They So Important?
Brain Development
Involved in multiple aspects of brain development,. This is particularly relevant in autism spectrum disorders. (Nutrient Power by Dr. Willam Walsh ).
Copper & Zinc
Storage, transport and balance of essential metals zinc and copper (as you know)
Zinc signaling in brain cells
Heavy Metals
Detoxification of mercury and other toxic metals - they are the first defense in the GI tract, but they also further come on board elsewhere after glutathione (GSH) levels have been depleted (when there is too much toxicity for example). Selenium is a big helper. Dr. Walsh calls MT, GSH and Selenium the Three Musketeers.
Powerful Antioxidant
“Compared with other antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, MT may be considered a more effective antioxidant.” (from Metallothionein in Brain Disorder - a nice review article)
Protection of neurons against damage from oxidative stress
Anti-inflammatory
Development and functioning of the immune system
Anti-inflammatory processes
Delivers zinc to cells throughout the body
Gastrointestinal
Taste discrimination on the tongue
Prevention of yeast overgrowth in the intestines (What!!?)
Regulation of stomach acid pH
Protection of enzymes that break down casein and gluten
Barriers
Increase the efficiency of the gut blood barrier and blood brain barriers
Other
Apoptosis - a good kind of cell death that is a normal and controlled part of an organism’s growth or development
Regulates tumor suppressor genes
Angiogenesis processes - formation of blood vessels
Gene regulation
Like me, you may be wondering….What are they not doing???