For several years I was focusing heavily on the relationship between copper and iron while neglecting and even demonizing zinc. Given that our body stores a much higher concentration of zinc than copper, that was not a wise approach. Over the years I have learned that even in the case of a copper deficiency, one should still supplement zinc in addition to copper, and the clinical research clearly proves this. It is very easy to get caught in the anti-supplement fear campaigns that big influencers spread and I have since repented for my sins in this regard.

In this episode I share my experience taking high dose zinc for the past few years and the copper deficiency symptoms I have noticed recently, specifically in relationship to ultraviolet light exposure from sunlight. On day one of supplementing copper again I noticed an increased resilience to sun exposure and less of a burning sensation being outside in the mid-day summer sun. I break down the science of different types of melanin, the exact biochemical processses involved in copper supporting melanin production, what melanin does after it absorbs UV light, what other nutrients we should be supplementing to protect ourselves from sunburn and skin photoaging, the complexity of the zinc/copper ratio and where I stand with it, how you can diagnose yourself for deficiencies using symptoms instead of blood tests, and more.

My website: www.matt-blackburn.com

Mitolife products: www.mitolife.co

Music by Nicholas Jimenez: https://spoti.fi/4cte2nD