When you think of living healthy you probably consider the foods you eat and how active you are on a daily basis. What about the clothes you wear or the jewelry you put on in the morning? Would you be surprised to learn that these can impact your health as well?
Take copper jewelry for example. It may seem like a step down from gold or silver, but it has some interesting health benefits that make it more valuable than both to some people. And though many are surprised to learn of the healing benefits of jewelry made from copper, it is not a secret. Many cultures have used copper as a remedy for thousands of years. What exactly can copper do for you?
Copper Kills Bacteria
For some reason, copper kills small microbes that can be dangerous to humans. And this is no folk myth. Several organizations, universities, and even the Environmental Protection Agency have tested and studied the antimicrobial properties of copper and its alloys. It has been shown that using copper can prevent up to 58 percent of bacteria and viruses that are transmitted on touched surfaces, such as door handles.
This is helpful in jewelry as well. Consider how many germs may be thriving on the average person’s hand. By wearing a copper ring or even a bracelet when shaking hands you can prevent a decent portion of those germs from surviving the transfer.
Fighting Copper Deficiency
The body requires a great number of minerals and nutrients to survive. A small amount of copper is required as well. Copper is used in the body to improve bone, nerve,and circulatory health. However, many people suffer from a copper deficiency because they eat foods low in copper or high in zinc, which reduces the body’s absorption of copper.
Unlike some other minerals, the body has the ability to absorb as much copper as needed and then not absorb any excess. Copper can also be absorbed through the skin. That means it is possible to fight a copper deficiency by wearing jewelry made with it without worrying about absorbing too much copper.
Suffering from copper toxicity does occur, but never because of jewelry being worn. Copper toxicity typically comes from high-risk foods or low-quality vitamin sources. Studies have shown it is not related to wearing copper or being near sources of copper such as copper pipes.
An Extremely Valuable Metal
Copper was highly regarded by many civilizations in the past, including the Egyptians and the Native Americans. Today it is often overlooked for more expensive options like gold and silver. However, those precious metals do not have the healing and health benefiting properties of copper. That is why no outfit is complete without a piece or two of copper jewelry.