Could a copper bangle be the answer to arthritis?

96% of patients reported an improvement in arthritic symptoms

FOR CENTURIES COPPER has been used to relieve the pain of arthritis and joint conditions but until recently there was little scientific evidence to prove it actually works. Could that be about to change?

Professor Albert Singer at the Whittington Hospital, London, used copper to treat his own osteoarthritis. He was so impressed by the improvement in his condition he conducted a study on 230 arthritis sufferers, and that an incredible 96% of patients reported an improvement in symptoms.

Dr Teng, in New York also carried out several studies on patients using copper and found that almost all of them have seen improvements within just a few days.

Research conducted at the University of Southampton has shown that copper kills a wide range of potentially harmful micro-organisms. Professor Elliot, who led the study, said: "The risk of picking up an infection is reduced.

“Copper is what I would call an intelligent metal. It is quietly working away in the background, killing organisms all the time.”

So not only has copper been finally recognized for reducing inflammation, eliminating arthritic pain but also the risk of infection. Copper is an essential nutrient for the body and crucial for healthy bones, nerve function, preventing premature ageing and boosting the immune system.

A deficiency in copper can lead to the development of a whole host of inflammatory diseases, low energy, slow healing and poor cholesterol levels.

This percentage increases with age so by the age of 50 most of us are deficient in copper, yet few of us are aware of the problems this can cause.

Copper can be absorbed into the body in various ways. It is found in many foods, including sesame seeds, soybeans and shiitake mushrooms, however only in very small amounts. The World Health Organisation estimated that average copper requirements are 12.5 μg/ kg of body weight per day for adults. This equates to needing 174g of mushrooms or almost 1.5kg of lamb a day.

So how can we absorb more copper? We can take copper supplements, or a more convenient way is by wearing a copper bracelet.

The theory behind wearing copper next to the body in the form of bracelets is that the mineral is absorbed through the skin and circulated through the body to relieve inflammation and pain. Professor Albert Singer, Whittington Hospital, says, “I feel copper has helped my arthritis – I am convinced that there is something in the copper.”

It’s not surprising then that Cardiologist Dr John Coltart discovered that people who worked with copper rarely suffered with arthritis.

We contacted a leading supplier of copper bangles, UK Direct Shop to find out more. John Silver, their Customer Services Manager told us: “We have thousands of satisfied customers who have taken advantage of our 90-day riskfree trial. And every week we receive stacks of letters from customers who tell us what a difference it’s made to them. We are so confident in our product that if they are not completely satisfied we offer a full refund”.

To order, you can either call their Freephone number on 0808 156 4998, go online at www. ukdirectshop. com or complete and return the coupon below.

Research suggests that copper reduces the chance of infection. At least 20 per cent of the UK population suffers from copper deficiency.