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Copper Bisglycinate

Highly bioavailable chelated copper essential for collagen synthesis, iron metabolism, and antioxidant function

Scientific nameCopper Bisglycinate Chelate FormulaC4H8CuN2O4 Molecular weight211.66 g/mol CAS13479-54-4
85 absorption score
6 safety / 10
12 USD per month
30 elemental copper %
6 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

Copper Bisglycinate with:

Compatibility score 82 out of 100
82 out of 100
Needs attention Separate by 2-4 hours to avoid the interaction below.

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What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Superior bioavailability

Better absorbed than sulfate and other inorganic copper forms

Chelation protects copper from inhibitors and enhances uptake Evidence B-grade 2-4 weeks

Enhanced collagen synthesis

Essential for healthy skin, joints, and blood vessels

Required for lysyl oxidase enzyme in collagen cross-linking Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks

Improved iron metabolism

Essential for proper iron utilization and transport

Required for ceruloplasmin and iron transport proteins Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks

Antioxidant enzyme support

Critical for superoxide dismutase antioxidant function

Essential cofactor for Cu/Zn-SOD antioxidant enzyme Evidence A-grade 2-6 weeks

Cardiovascular health

Supports healthy blood vessels and heart function

Essential for elastin and collagen in blood vessel walls Evidence B-grade 8-16 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine
Copper Bisglycinate + Zinc Gluconate High zinc dramatically reduces copper absorption Needs attention 22
Copper Bisglycinate + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Copper Bisglycinate + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Copper Bisglycinate + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Copper Bisglycinate + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Copper Bisglycinate + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Copper Bisglycinate + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Copper Bisglycinate + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Copper Bisglycinate + Iron Sulfate High iron may compete with copper absorption Needs attention 82
Copper Bisglycinate + Vitamin D3 Both support collagen synthesis Works better together 82
Copper Bisglycinate + Iron Fumarate High iron may compete with copper absorption Needs attention 82
Copper Bisglycinate + Manganese Bisglycinate Both involved in antioxidant enzyme systems Works better together 90

Dosage

With food
Daily1-3 mg
Maintenance0.9-2 mg
Therapeutic2-5 mg
Upper limit10 mg daily
Elemental copperContains ~13% elemental copper
Upper limit 10 mg NIH ODS

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for enzyme function improvements
Peak Benefits8-16 weeks for collagen and cardiovascular benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentWeeks to months with inadequate intake
Toxicity OnsetWeeks to months with excessive intake

How to measure it

$60-120
MarkerSerum copper, ceruloplasmin, or 24-hour urine copper
OptimalSerum copper: 70-140 μg/dL, Ceruloplasmin: 20-50 mg/dL
Deficient belowSerum copper: <70 μg/dL
FrequencyEvery 6-12 months if supplementing or taking high-dose zinc

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Elemental copper 30% of 211.66 g/mol
Absorption Very high 85 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily 0.5 mg
Cost per 10 mg delivered $7.84 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

A 500 mg capsule of Copper Bisglycinate contains 150 mg of copper. How much of that crosses into your blood is not measured for this form — the absorption score ranks it against other forms, it is not a share of the dose. How this is calculated →

Works better with

3 documented
+
Iron

Copper essential for iron utilization and transport

Required for ceruloplasmin and iron oxidation · level A
+
Vitamin C

Both support collagen synthesis

Complementary roles in collagen formation · level A
+
Manganese

Both involved in antioxidant enzyme systems

Different but complementary SOD enzymes · level B

What not to take with Copper Bisglycinate

3 documented
!
Zinc High Dose

High zinc dramatically reduces copper absorption

Competition for metallothionein binding and absorption · major significance
!
Vitamin C Megadose

Very high vitamin C may reduce copper absorption

Potential interference with copper uptake · moderate significance
!
Iron High Dose

High iron may compete with copper absorption

Mineral competition for transporters · mild significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining
penicillamine Major

Drug chelates copper reducing levels

What to do: Copper supplementation often required

zinc-supplements Major

High zinc reduces copper absorption dramatically

What to do: Maintain proper zinc:copper ratio (8-15:1)

Available forms

bioavailability compared
Copper Bisglycinate Chelate 85

Copper Bisglycinate Chelate: Superior absorption, Gentle on stomach, Better utilization, Stable form

Food sources

before you supplement
Copper bisglycinate not found naturally in foods Only available as supplement · 85
Organ meats (liver) 2-5mg per 100g · 75
Shellfish (oysters) 1-4mg per 100g · 70
Nuts and seeds 0.3-1.5mg per 100g · 60

Too little

deficiency signs
  • Anemia that doesn't respond to iron
  • Neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
  • Osteoporosis and bone abnormalities
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Premature graying of hair
  • Skin and connective tissue disorders
  • Neurological problems

Too much

toxicity signs
  • Wilson's disease symptoms (genetic)
  • Liver damage and cirrhosis
  • Neurological deterioration
  • Kidney damage
  • Gastrointestinal upset
  • Hemolysis (red blood cell destruction)

Who benefits most

zinc-supplement-users

Need copper to balance high zinc supplementation

1-2 mg daily (maintain 8-15:1 zinc:copper ratio)
collagen-joint-health

Essential for collagen synthesis and joint health

1-3 mg daily
iron-deficiency-anemia

Required for proper iron utilization

1-2 mg daily
cardiovascular-health

Important for blood vessel integrity

1-2 mg daily
premature-graying-hair

Copper deficiency can cause premature graying

1-2 mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Copper Bisglycinate at 1-3 mg per serving. The form that matters here is Copper Bisglycinate Chelate.

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How it works

  • Essential cofactor for lysyl oxidase in collagen cross-linking
  • Required for ceruloplasmin iron transport protein
  • Critical component of cytochrome c oxidase for energy production
  • Essential for Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase antioxidant enzyme
  • Required for dopamine and norepinephrine synthesis
  • Involved in melanin production and pigmentation

Key findings

what the evidence supports
  • Essential for collagen synthesis and connective tissue health
  • Critical for iron metabolism and anemia prevention
  • Important antioxidant enzyme cofactor (Cu/Zn-SOD)
  • Deficiency often caused by excessive zinc supplementation

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-01

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Copper Bisglycinate?

Documented effects: Superior bioavailability; Enhanced collagen synthesis; Improved iron metabolism; Antioxidant enzyme support. Better absorbed than sulfate and other inorganic copper forms

How much Copper Bisglycinate should you take per day?

The common daily range is 1-3 mg. By goal — maintenance: 0.9-2 mg; therapeutic: 2-5 mg; upper limit: 10 mg daily; elemental copper: Contains ~13% elemental copper.

When is the best time to take Copper Bisglycinate?

With food. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for enzyme function improvements.

What are the side effects of Copper Bisglycinate?

At excessive doses: Wilson's disease symptoms (genetic), Liver damage and cirrhosis, Neurological deterioration, Kidney damage, Gastrointestinal upset. Safety rating at normal doses is 6 out of 10.

What should you not take with Copper Bisglycinate?

Separate it from Zinc High Dose, Vitamin C Megadose, Iron High Dose by two to four hours. High zinc dramatically reduces copper absorption

Does Copper Bisglycinate interact with medications?

Documented interactions with penicillamine, zinc-supplements. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How much Copper Bisglycinate is too much?

The tolerable upper intake level is 10 mg per day for adults, per NIH ODS. Above that, the risk of adverse effects rises: Wilson's disease symptoms (genetic), Liver damage and cirrhosis, Neurological deterioration.

How do you know if you need Copper Bisglycinate?

The marker is Serum copper, ceruloplasmin, or 24-hour urine copper, optimal range Serum copper: 70-140 μg/dL, Ceruloplasmin: 20-50 mg/dL. Common deficiency signs: Anemia that doesn't respond to iron, Neutropenia (low white blood cell count), Osteoporosis and bone abnormalities, Cardiovascular problems.

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