Dietary copper showed a small link with spine bone density
An observational review found a modest association at the lumbar spine, while the hip result remained inconclusive. It did not test fracture prevention.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
People reporting higher dietary copper intake tended to have slightly higher bone mineral density at the lumbar spine. The hip analysis did not show a statistically clear association. These observational findings cannot show that copper caused the difference, and measuring bone density does not establish that increasing copper intake prevents osteoporosis or fractures.
The evidence came from observational studies, and the abstract does not report intake thresholds or participant characteristics. Hip results varied substantially across studies.
What was measured
The review combined studies that estimated copper intake from food and measured bone density using DXA scans. The results concern habitual dietary intake; the abstract does not describe a trial of copper supplements.
Size and uncertainty
The spine mean difference was 0.02 g/cm2 (95% CI 0.00–0.04; p = 0.04). The hip estimate was similar in size but statistically inconclusive; this does not establish that copper has different effects at these skeletal sites.
The original publication
Dietary Copper Intake and Bone Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.
Gutiérrez-Guerra MA, Puerto-Parejo LM, Pastor-Ramón E et al.
Calcif Tissue Int · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41361655
- Record checked
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