Dear Dr. SerVaas: In your Jan./Feb. '04 issue, Doris Potley wrote in, inquiring about wearing copper for arthritis. I have worn copper for over 20 years because of the relief I got. Twice I have taken off my copper ring, only to find that within approximately two weeks, I can hardly get out of bed, as my knees and elbows are so stiff and sore. Since those two experiments, I have worn a copper ring every day. It works for me.

Susan Huetter
Adrian, Michigan

Dear Dr. SerVaas: I have two questions about copper. Do high levels of vitamin C deplete one's level of copper? Does wearing copper bracelets or cooking in copper utensils help restore sufficient copper in the body?

via e-mail

Dear Readers: Dr. Dale Guyer replies: "At high levels, copper is known as a free-radical generator, much like iron. Obviously, you need some in your diet, so it is probably good if you are taking a multivitamin that has one to four milligrams of copper.

"Copper is also thought to potentiate anti-inflammatory activity in the body. Normal levels of copper will help decrease inflammation and is a cofactor in collagen synthesis. I have seen a number of patients with chronic laxity in the connective tissue which has improved with copper supplements again with around 2 mg per day. Copper doesn't tend to get depleted with vitamin C. In fact, it works well with vitamin C. Vitamin C and copper both are involved in collagen synthesis and production. You can have a blood level done or an RBC mineral copper level done to see how it is working. You will absorb some copper from bracelets and cooking utensils."