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Suggest The Ideal Dosage For Copper Supplement Taken For Preventing Grey Hair

Posted on Wed, 18 May 2016

Question: I have a high protein diet, can eat a whole beef joint in just one day and more. I have vitiligo in small area since young. In last 2 years or so I noticed some grey hairs around my body. I wonder if I should add a copper supplement, because high protein could cause deplete some copper? I also take 15mg of zinc most days with 0.75mg of copper. But I wonder if I can try 2.5mg of copper or more to see if it changes my hair colour? Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained in detail

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome

Your concern is appreciated

The causes for grey hair is many but as you have mentioned that you have vitiligo its also one of the reason and lack of copper in diet is also one of the reasons.
Regarding copper supplements there is no recomended diatery allowance or recommended dietry intakes but in adults 1.5-2.5mg daily are generally advised. copper supplement should ne taken with zinc 8-15 mg of zinc with 1 mg of cu. But increase consumption is a cause for cu deficiency.

Too much cu can cause nausea vomiting stomach pain diarrhea weakness its toxocity is rare but causes heart problem jaundice coma even death as little as 10 mg of cu has toxic effect should not take more than 8 mg per day
So it should be used properly and after doctors consultation
Vitiligo may be the reason for your grey hair in that situation it wont get better with cu supplements

Other cause include
Chronic cold sinusitis
Lack of vit b comolex iron and iodine folic acid deficiency
Herdity factors also play role
Stress annxitey mental worries
Thyroid disease harmonal imbalance

Hope it helps
Thanks

please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action

Wishing you best of health

Dr M.S Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (20 hours later)

Thanks, so you think I should try 2mg a day copper supplement? How long would it take to work if it was going to, how long before saw result?
Thanks

Hi,
My GP wont know.
Will 2mg or less do any harm?
I want to try everything to restore and gray hairs and even vitiligo. Vitiligo has worked with proactive cream.
I'm also taking B vitamins daily, zinc, multi vitamin, vitamin D, probiotics. But I'm thinking of taking extra copper incase because this can cause pigment issues if low, correct?
Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

As I mentioned before it should be taken alongside zinc starting with the lowest possible dose. The fact that it will have effect or not is not certain.

please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Dr M.S Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

No , a lesser dose won't cause any harm. You can start with 2 mg.

please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action

thanks.

Dr M.S Khalil

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar