Low Copper Diet Diet For Wilson's Disease

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Low Copper Diet Diet For Wilson's Disease
Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology

Low Copper Diet Diet For Wilson's Disease
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Purpose
Wilson's disease is a hereditary disorder in which the body retains too much copper. Copper is a trace mineral in the body. This means it is essential for good health, but only a tiny amount is needed. When excess copper accumulates, it is stored in the eyes, brain, kidneys, and liver. Excess copper collecting in the liver causes cirrhosis of the liver, which is a serious, life-threatening condition. However, Wilson's disease is treatable.

Copper is found in different amounts in a wide variety of foods. Therefore, dietary restriction alone is usually not enough to control Wilson's disease. Medicines such as Cuprime and Depen (generic name: D-penicillamine) and Syprine (generic name: trientine) are used to help excrete excess copper with the urine. Still, it is helpful to avoid copper-rich foods as much as possible. The dietary intake of copper should be less than 1.0 mg per day.


Nutrition Facts
A low copper diet is generally adequate in all the nutrients necessary for good health. However, patients taking D-penicillamine may develop a deficiency of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), and the physician may prescribe a supplement of 25 mg daily.

Special Considerations
The copper content in a specific food can vary depending on a number of factors. The copper content and the location of the soil in which the food was grown, or the method used to process the food, for example, can affect how much copper is in the food when eaten. In general, the low copper diet is meant to restrict foods that are usually high in copper, especially organ meats, shellfish, dried beans, peas, whole wheat, and chocolate.
Drinking water should be analyzed because it may contain too much copper. If the water contains more than 100 micrograms per liter, then bottled demineralized water should be used. This water should contain only 1 microgram of copper per liter. Demineralized water and distilled water are processed differently and may not contain the same amount of copper. Check with the physician or registered dietitian for more information.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can be harmful to the liver, and the liver may already be damaged from Wilson's disease.
Read food labels; some prepared foods list the copper content. Always check the labels of vitamin/mineral supplements to see if they contain copper.
For better control of copper intake, choose only average portions or serving sizes of foods. Examples of average portions are 3 to 4 oz of meat, fish, or poultry; 1/2 cup of vegetables; one slice of bread.
Do not use copper cooking utensils.
Patient's with Wilson's disease should have initial and periodic consultations with a registered dietitian to make sure copper in the diet is being adequately controlled.



Food Groups
Eat as Desired
Foods low in copper -- less
than 0.1 mg/portion. 6 Portions/Day Avoid
Meat & meat substitute beef; eggs; white meat turkey and chicken; cold cuts and frankfurters taht do not contain pork, dark turkey, dark chicken, or organ meats; all others not listed on high or moderate list all fish except shellfish 3 oz, dark meat turkey and chicken 3 oz, peanut butter 2 Tbsp lamb; pork; pheasant quail; duck; goose; squid; salmon; organ meats including liver, heart, kidney, brain; shellfish including oysters, scallops, shrimp, lobster, clams, and crab; meat gelatin; soy protein meat substitutes; tofu; nuts and seeds
Vegetables most vegetables including fresh tomatoes bean sprouts 1 cup; beets 1/2 cup; spinach 1/2 cup cooked, 1 cup raw; tomato juice and other tomato products 1/2 cup; broccoli 1/2 cup; asparagus 1/2 cup vegetable juice cocktail, mushrooms
Fruits most fruits except as listed to right
Fruits dried at home are permitted mango 1/2 cup, papaya 1/4 average, pear 1 medium, pineapple 1/2 cup nectarine, commercially dried fruits including raisins, dates, prunes; avocado
Starches - breads & grains breads & pasta from refined flour, rice, regular oatmeal, cereals with <0.1 mg of copper per serving (check sweet potatoes, all others not listed on high or moderate list whole wheat bread 1 slice, Melba toast 4, whole wheat crackers 6, instant oatmeal 1/2 cup, instant Ralston™ 1/2 cup, cereals with 0.1 to 0.2 mg of copper per serving (check label), dehydrated and canned soups 1 cup, potatoes in any form 1/2 cup or small, pumpkin 3/4 cup, parsnips 2/3 cup, winter and summer squash 1/2 cup, green peas 1/2 cup dried beans including soy beans, lima beans, baked beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans; dried peas; lentils; millet; barley; wheat germ; bran breads and cereals; cereals with >0.2 mg of copper per serving (check label); soy flour; soy grits; fresh sweet potatoes
Fats, oils butter, cream, margarine, mayonnaise, non-dairy creamer, sour cream, oils, salad dressings (made from allowed ingredients) olives 2 med
Milk & milk products Most milk products, milk flavored with carob, cheeses, cottage cheese all others chocolate milk, soy milk, cocoa
Sweets & desserts most sweets; jams, jellies, and candies made with allowed ingredients; carob; flavoring extracts licorice 1 oz,syrups 1 oz desserts that contain high amounts of ingredients rich in copper; candy with nuts, chocolate, or cocoa
Beverages, liquids, misc. coffee, tea, fruit juices, fruit-flavored beverages, lemonade, soups made with allowed ingredients Postum™ and other cereal beverages1 cup, carbonated beverages 12 oz, ketchup 2 Tbsp, dehydrated and canned soups instant breakfast beverages, mineral water, soy-based beverages, copper-fortified formulas, brewer's yeast, multiple vitamins with copper or minerals


Sample Menu
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
grapefruit 1/2 cup
scrambled egg 1
white toast 1 slice
margarine 1 tsp
skim milk 1/2 cup
coffee 1 cup
salt/pepper
white bread 2 slices
roast beef 2 oz
lettuce
tomato
mayonnaise 1 Tbsp
carrot sticks 6
fresh orange 1
skim milk 1/2 cup
chicken breast 3 oz
rice 1/.2 cup
green beans 1/2 cup
margarine 1 tsp
white bread 1 slice
jelly 1 tsp
apple 1
lemonade 1 cup
salt/pepper



This Sample Diet Provides the Following
Calories 1520 Sodium 1500 mg
Protein 69 gm Potassium 2150 mg
Carbohydrates 191 gm Copper 0.68 mg
Fat 54 gm

Learn how the new prebiotic soluble fibers benefit bowel health and many GI disorders


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