When I think of copper, I think of bracelets and necklaces. I picture the early Native Americans and their decorations created from this shiny metal. I never think of it in terms of my health.

However, it is a very important component of a health diet as recent research mentioned in ArcaMax Publishing's Healthy Recipes reveals:

Copper grabbed headlines this year when researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that the nutrient can help prevent bone loss associated with dieting. "When people diet, particularly obese people, they lose calcium from their bones," explains Hank Lukaski, assistant director of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center. "We also know copper is important in bone formation."

On the Health Supplements page of Ezine magazine, we find this list of sources for dietary copper:

Copper is usually found in foods containing iron. Copper is found in various foods, including organ meats, seafood, wheatgerm, green vegetables, prunes, beans, peas, lentils, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnip nuts (particularly walnuts, peanuts, and cashews), pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds. Breads and cereals made from whole grains and barley are also good copper sources.

What happens if you don't get enough copper in your diet? Copper Info tells us:

At least 20 percent of the population suffers from a deficiency of copper, a trace mineral that is essential to good health. Yet few people are aware of the health disorders that are associated with copper deficiency:

• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic conditions involving bone, connective tissue, heart and blood vessels
• Colon cancer