About a year ago, a New Zealand research team decided to chelate copper within a study involving type 2 diabetics for the purposes of preventing cardio damage. A doctor that I've spoken with says that these people were actually cured of their disease after such therapy, to the surprise of those deciding to conduct the study.

The havic source for SOME type 2's (Remember, every disease has different pathways-only a few type 2's are likely to respond to copper chelation) was identified as CO II (Copper oxidase). That's why they decided to chelate the copper.

The entire synthesis of adrenaline is dependant on copper, so an obvious toxicity, and/or that of a Wilson's like disease effect on the body (Where copper is not absorbed into the bloodstream properly-rather, it becomes deposited in various tissues and organs-the brain included, believe it or not). Given the latest studies confirming adrenal exhaustion/failure to handle stress among both type 1 and 2's, there's not a doubt that copper is an active player in the structure of the overall disease.

Unfortunately, it gets very complicated from this point. The health of what beta cells remain in those w/ Type 1 is dependant on copper. Most Endocrinologists still believe, therefore, that copper is essential for diabetics.

However, Zinc, copper's chief antagonist, causes over activity of the immunity in some (Suggestive of autoimmunity), yet it has the remarkable ability of healing the Thymus gland and preventing the onset of several cancers.

Traditional theory says this-copper is effective against some infections, and it prevents artery/vein wasting (Aneuryism). You're not on your way to having any type of an aneuryism, but your symptoms would seem to be suggestive of either a functional copper problem, or that of an outright deficiency.

Yet, if, in today's medical field, we have doctors chelating copper among Type 2's for the purposes of preventing cardio damage, there is most certainly a thought processs there. Does this study confirm some type of an error in ideology in the past? Or is this just simply what it is-a case where a certain number of Type 2's respond to copper removal, and other diabetics would not. It's a fascinating question.

In the meantime, the only way of knowing "What's going on" w/ copper and diabetics is through individual testing. A normal lab value for copper would likely rule out Wilson's and that of a copper deficiency or toxicity (Has to be a blood test-there are only about 8 minerals/tminerals total worth testing for by hair; the rest are meaningless. Your best shot with copper is by blood.

Normally, if Wilson's Disease was present and/or there was an actual deficiency of copper, the WBC level goes down. So that proves copper is important, the only question is what the deal is between copper and these latest diabetic studies.

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Zinc would be OTC options for copper chelation; penicillimine would be the prescription remedy.

Again, however, in your own, individual case, I would make no changes to anything until you can discuss these areas with your physician at a personal level. Blood testing for Copper, Zinc, Manganese, and Magnesium, in addition to the standard minerals normally tested for in the bone/mineral panels, those four additions would answer more questions in medicine than just about anything I can think of-just a personal opinion.

I am not a medical doctor. The above was not intended to treat, diagnosis, cure, or prevent any ailment. Follow up with your personal physician is strongly suggested.