We’ve seen sleep apnea and its connection to various diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, but what about nutrients? Copper has been considered a strong predictor of oxidative stress in those who suffer from sleep apnea, which helps to explain the connection between low levels in sleep apnea patients. Additionally, there has been trace minerals of zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese and selenium which are ctritical cofactors in major antioxidant enzymes that are important for repairing cellular damage caused by a lack of oxygen in sleep apnea. Let’s take a look at a brief study showcasing the connection between copper and sleep:
A Study in Sleep Review Magazine
In an article in Sleep Review Magazine last year, the idea of copper and sleep apnea was introduced. It stated that those who were sleeping less than 6 hours or more than 10 hours suffer from low-grade inflammation and more often than people sleeping seven or eight hours a night. This study was observed at the University of Eastern Finland focusing on the health and lifestyle habits among middle-aged men.
Low-grade inflammation occurs in those who are overweight or who suffer from depression or diabetes. It has been suggested that high serum copper concentration associated with pro-oxidative stress, which is found in many chronic diseases, such as coronary artery disease. The association between copper and sleep duration persisted independently of cardiovascular diseases.
To learn more about copper deficiency and sleep apnea, please contact Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia. By understanding nutritional deficiencies, we can significantly improve your health and understanding of sleep apnea.
