Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Wilson's Disease Association
About Our Association
The Wilson Disease Association (WDA) is a volunteer organization striving to promote the well being of patients with Wilson disease and their families and friends.
Wilson disease is a rare, genetic disorder affecting only 1 in 30,000 people. It is often very difficult to find accurate, timely information on the disease. Our web site addresses this need by offering the latest information about the disease, its cause, symptoms, and treatments. We hope you find this resource valuable in your understanding of Wilson disease.
Our Mission
The Wilson Disease Association funds research and facilitates and promotes the identification, education, treatment, and support of patients and other individuals affected by Wilson disease.
Our Vision
It is our belief that nobody need suffer from Wilson disease. Our vision is to be recognized for excellence as an international, non-profit health organization. We will:
Conduct our business in a professional manner.
Raise funds and responsibly manage our resources in order to provide and sustain high-quality program services.
Support research and clinical investigation that are in the best interest of patients and families.
Develop educational programs for healthcare professionals and patients to assure proper early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Patient care will be accessible, affordable, and of high quality.
Foster a comfortable, supportive environment for Wilson disease patients and families.
We are committed to this vision for the benefit of all affected by Wilson disease.
Patient Support Efforts
Maintain a membership list that includes patients, their families, their friends, medical personnel, and other individuals and organizations interested in the disease
Send a regular newsletter containing information about the disease, issues of interest to the membership, and other related matters
Provide a network for written, phone, and electronic communication between affected individuals and their families
Provide referrals to physicians, other healthcare providers, and other assistive resources; facilitate consultation with Wilson disease expert physicians
Education and Outreach Efforts
Answer questions from the public about the disease
Participate in political activities to promote the interests of Wilson disease patients
Provide money to needy patients for travel, equipment and medication when necessary
Attend professional meetings, distribute educational materials, and promote media coverage to educate the public and professionals about Wilson disease
Clinical and Research Efforts
Raise funds to support the goals of the WDA research program
Cooperate with investigators and clinicians to advance medical knowledge on the disease, and develop more accurate diagnostic methods, life-improving therapies, and ultimately a cure
Accept grant proposals on an annual basis for innovative basic, clinical, or translational research relevant to the cause or treatment of Wilson disease
Award annual grants to researchers based on the scientific merit of the proposed study and the research priorities established by the Wilson Disease Association
Food . . . .
Adherence to a low copper diet is most important during the initial phase of treatment. The recommendation is to avoid the foods highest in copper content: organ meats, shellfish, chocolate, nuts, and mushrooms. Once copper levels have stabilized at normal levels, these foods are allowed occasionally. For a comprehensive list refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website at http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=17477 . If you are a vegetarian, please consult a dietician, as many of the foods and protein sources in a vegetarian diet are high in copper. Wilson disease cannot be managed by diet alone. Proper medication is necessary lifelong!
Water . . . . .
Copper content of the drinking water you consume should also be tested. If the water is over 0.1 ppm (parts per million) (which is 0.1 mg/L), consider an alternative water source or invest in a good filtering system that removes copper. Your local community or private water testing firms can perform the testing on your home water supply. If you have copper plumbing in your home, some of the copper content can be reduced by running the water for a while before you use it. As water sits in the pipes the copper leaches into the water. for this same reason, avoid using copper cookware for preparation of food. If you work or reside in a location where the water supply has not been tested, consider using bottled water that does not contain copper.
Vitamins . . .
Consult your health care professional before taking a multi-vitamin. If your physician approves, as your pharmacist to find a good supplement that does not contain copper. If you are a woman who is pregnant, or wishes to become pregnant, please have your obstetrician consult with your hepatologist before prescribing prenatal vitamins. Most prenatal vitamins contain an abundance of copper and these should be avoided.
Other Dietary Supplements . . . .
There are many over-the-counter dietary supplements and herbal preparations that claim to be beneficial for some part of your body. Be cautious about this because many can interact with other prescription medications you are taking. Some can be beneficial but others may actually be injurious to your health. Also, many supplements are processed by the liver and may cause additional liver damage or, in the case of existing liver damage, may not be properly utilized by the body. Please refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publications, "What Dietary Supplements Are You Taking? Does Your Health Care Provider Know? It Matters, and Here's Why" and "Dietary Supplements What You Need to Know" these can be found at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-take.html. These contain much useful information about dietary supplements, and personal logs that you can fill in and share with your doctor.
©2003-2009 Wilson's Disease Association International
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