Copper Gluconate vs Cupric Oxide
How copper gluconate and cupric oxide differ in elemental content, absorption, tolerance, and cost.
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Side by Side
| Copper Gluconate | Cupric Oxide | |
|---|---|---|
| Elemental content | 14% elemental copper | 79.9% elemental copper |
| Absorption | High | Low |
| How it is absorbed | Soluble salt absorbed through the CTR1 transporter in the small intestine; the fraction absorbed falls as intake rises. | Nearly insoluble and poorly absorbed; animal data led to the recommendation that it not be used as a copper source. |
| Typical dose | 1-2 mg elemental copper daily | Avoid as a copper source |
| Common uses | pairing with long-term zinc | inexpensive multivitamins |
| Side effects | Nausea on an empty stomach. | None notable at label doses. |
| Cost | Low | Low |
| Also called | None | copper oxide |
| Labels in index | 20 | 3 |
When to Choose Copper Gluconate
Choose copper gluconate when you need a small, inexpensive copper dose alongside zinc. The most common copper form in standalone supplements.
Copper Gluconate
Inexpensive and well absorbed. The simplest way to add 1-2 mg alongside zinc.
What to look for: Copper (as gluconate) 1-2 mg per tablet, taken with food.
Find on iHerb Affiliate linkWhen to Choose Cupric Oxide
There is no good reason to choose cupric oxide: choose any soluble form. Its high copper content by weight overstates what is absorbed.
Cupric Oxide
There is no good reason to choose cupric oxide: choose any soluble form.
What to look for: Cupric Oxide named on the Supplement Facts panel, with the amount per serving stated.
Find on iHerb Affiliate linkProducts on Titrate
In Titrate's index of NIH label data, 20 labels named as copper products list copper gluconate and 3 list cupric oxide.
Copper does not have its own search category yet. Each product above links to its full label in the NIH database.
Related
References
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Copper: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
Baker DH. Cupric oxide should not be used as a copper supplement for either animals or humans. J Nutr. 1999;129(12):2278-2279.
Willis MS, Monaghan SA, Miller ML, et al. Zinc-induced copper deficiency: a report of three cases initially recognized on bone marrow examination. Am J Clin Pathol. 2005;123(1):125-131.
Kumar N. Copper deficiency myelopathy (human swayback). Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81(10):1371-1384.
Hedera P, Peltier A, Fink JK, Wilcock S, London Z, Brewer GJ. Myelopolyneuropathy and pancytopenia due to copper deficiency and high zinc levels of unknown origin II. The denture cream is a primary source of excessive zinc. Neurotoxicology. 2009;30(6):996-999.
Schilsky ML, Roberts EA, Bronstein JM, et al. A multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of Wilson disease: executive summary of the 2022 Practice Guidance on Wilson disease from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2023;77(4):1428-1455.