Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Copper (as Copper Bisglycinate) | Potassium (Citrate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Minerals | Minerals |
| Standard Dose | 1-2mg elemental copper daily (when supplementing zinc >25mg) | 99-200mg per capsule (regulatory limit in US); dietary target 3500-4700mg/day total |
| Timing | With food. Separate from zinc by 2+ hours for optimal absorption of both. | With meals, divided throughout the day. Slow-release forms preferred for higher doses. |
| Cycle Duration | ongoing when zinc supplementation is ongoing | ongoing |
| Evidence Level | strong_human | strong_human |
Copper is a cofactor for critical cuproenzymes: cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV, mitochondrial respiration), Cu/Zn-SOD (superoxide dismutation), ceruloplasmin (ferroxidase — converts Fe2+ to Fe3+ for transferrin loading; essential for iron metabolism), lysyl oxidase (collagen and elastin cross-linking), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (dopamine to norepinephrine conversion), tyrosinase (melanin synthesis), and peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (neuropeptide processing). Copper is transported by ATP7A/B (Menkes/Wilson proteins) and regulated by metallothionein and glutathione.
1-2mg elemental copper daily (when supplementing zinc >25mg)
With food. Separate from zinc by 2+ hours for optimal absorption of both.
ongoing when zinc supplementation is ongoing
Potassium is the principal intracellular cation, maintaining resting membrane potential (-70 to -90mV) via the Na+/K+-ATPase pump (3 Na+ out, 2 K+ in per ATP). It is essential for: cardiac rhythmicity (phase 3 repolarization of cardiac action potential), skeletal muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, acid-base balance (exchanged for H+ in renal tubules), blood pressure regulation (promotes natriuresis via renal sodium excretion), and insulin secretion. Citrate form provides alkalinizing anion that inhibits calcium oxalate and uric acid kidney stone formation.
99-200mg per capsule (regulatory limit in US); dietary target 3500-4700mg/day total
With meals, divided throughout the day. Slow-release forms preferred for higher doses.
ongoing
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