{"id":5882,"date":"2019-04-22T04:19:14","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T04:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5882"},"modified":"2021-03-31T20:22:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T20:22:59","slug":"15-low-copper-foods-for-treating-wilsons-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-low-copper-foods-for-treating-wilsons-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Low-Copper Foods for Treating Wilson\u2019s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wilson\u2019s disease is caused by the body\u2019s inability to get rid of copper from the system. This buildup from copper can lead to serious symptoms that can cause anything from jaundice to tremors and mental confusion. In addition to proper diagnosis and medication, it is important to eat the right diet to make treatment of Wilson\u2019s disease easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people who have been diagnosed with this condition can go on to live normal, active lives with the right combination of diet and treatment. It is essential to eat foods that contain no added copper. This means avoiding high-copper foods, such as organ meats, shellfish, dried fruit, canned vegetables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking non-mineralized bottled water and not cooking in copper pans are also important steps to take to avoid exacerbating symptoms. The following is a suggested diet for those suffering from Wilson\u2019s disease. The diet alone may not fix the problem, but it is likely to help you feel your best.
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1. White Flour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many dieticians recommend eating whole grains, but not for people who have Wilson\u2019s disease<\/a>. Whole grains are rich in minerals, but unfortunately, this includes copper. Eat white bread and white flour in other products, including baked goods, rice, and pasta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid not only eating whole grains baked into bread, but actual grains served as side dishes, such as buckwheat and barley. You may be able to eat bread that is a blend of white and wheat flours after you have been treated for Wilson\u2019s disease for at least a year. Ask your doctor when it is safe to eat flours that are not white, refined flours again. Also look for hidden whole wheat in other products, such as processed cereals and canned soups. You may want to make some baked goods and bread at home to ensure that there is no whole wheat in it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Pasta<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have Wilson\u2019s disease, you should eat pasta <\/a>made of white flour for the same reason you consume baked goods that are not whole wheat. Be careful of colored pasta, because it may contain some wheat. Pasta is an alternative to other side dishes that may contain copper. If you ordinarily would eat lentils or beans, have some pasta instead. Do not eat pasta dishes that contain beans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can enjoy pasta with cheese and tomato sauce, but avoid pesto that contains pine nuts that may contain copper. Pasta is remarkably versatile and can be eaten several times a week in the form of spaghetti, linguine, and lasagna. Put it in soups instead of beans. Make sure you don\u2019t serve pasta with foods that may contain copper, such as organ meats and shellfish. Most fresh fruits and vegetables are free of copper and go well with pasta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Bottled Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tap water contains toxins <\/a>and minerals, including copper. It is a good idea, at least for the first year of treatment for Wilson\u2019s disease, you should drink bottled water. If this may pose too much of an expense, have your water tested. You can probably manage if the rate of copper is more than 100 micrograms per liter, then you should use bottled water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filtered water may reduce the amount of copper, but it will not remove it completely. When you purchase bottled water, make sure it is free of copper by reading the label. Use pure water in soups, coffee, tea and drinks and in all recipes. You may find a service close to your home that can deliver bottled water to your door in sufficient quantities that it can be used for all of your recipes. Make sure processed foods such as soups and juices are not made with tap water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Refined Cereals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have Wilson\u2019s disease, you may want to avoid the whole grain cereals<\/a>. The advantage of eating refined cereals is that you can tell what is in the food by looking at the label. Try some of your favorites such as Rice Crispies and Cheerios. You should not eat whole grains, such as bran flakes since bran contains copper and other minerals. Also, be careful to avoid granola and kasha. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as you can read the label and check that there is no copper on the ingredients list, it is probably safe to eat. You may also be alright eating cornmeal mush and Cream of Wheat, but be sure to check the label and avoid excessive sugar, which can create too much stimulation. Oatmeal-based cereals are also a good idea, but check that they are not combined with whole wheat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Meat and Chicken<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have Wilson\u2019s disease, you can eat meat <\/a>and chicken, but by all means, stick to the breasts, wings, and thighs. The organ meats, such as the liver, kidneys, and brain of any animal should be avoided by anyone who has Wilson\u2019s disease. These foods are among the richest in copper and cannot be eaten by those who have difficulty getting rid of the mineral. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, you should stick to beef and chicken and avoid duck, pheasant, goose, and quail. If you can\u2019t consume copper, it is a good idea to stick to meat and chicken rather than meat replacements such as beans and tofu, which contain copper. For a delicious low-copper meal, try eating sauteed chicken with fresh vegetables over white rice or a hamburger on a white bun. Shepherd\u2019s pie with a layer of ground beef and a layer of potatoes is a great low-copper meal.  
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6. Fish that Are Not Shellfish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a misconception that those with Wilson\u2019s disease can\u2019t eat fish<\/a>. This is only half true. You can consume all the cod and trout you wish, but it is important to avoid all types of selfishness, which are rich in copper. Most fish with fins and scales are fine, but salmon is one fish that is off-limits. Think about white fish that is not shellfish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you love scallops or shrimp, you can substitute fish with garlic sauce and serve it over rice instead of shrimp scampi. Try shish kabobs with cubes of fish, slices of pepper, onion, and vegetables cooked on the grill. You can also try stuffed flounder with a mushroom and vegetable stuffing instead of crab. Experiment with different types of fish that are low in copper, and you may never miss the shellfish or salmon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (not canned or dried)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to eat a low copper diet, avoid canned vegetables and vegetable juices from a can. This means you should not eat fruit cocktail, canned peaches or prepared fruit juices. It is fine to drink tomato <\/a>juice, for instance, but you may want to prepare it yourself. It is also important to avoid dried fruits and apricots in any form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few fresh fruits and vegetables that should be avoided because they contain copper, such as nectarines, avocadoes, sweet potatoes. Most other fruits and vegetables are fair game, as long as they are fresh. Canning fruits and vegetables add copper and other trace metals to your food. The commercial drying process for fruits can also bring copper into the process. You can enjoy an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables aside from a shortlist of exceptions and be free of copper.
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8. Milk and Dairy <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although you may have to tread carefully when eating meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables when you have Wilson\u2019s disease, milk and dairy <\/a>is a safe area. When you eat meat, you have to be careful to avoid certain types of fowl and organ meats, salmon and shellfish are off-limits when it comes to fish, and avocado and nectarines represent the danger zone for vegetables, but dairy is virtually worry-free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just check that your milk was not fortified with extra minerals, such as copper. In addition, dairy is safer for those suffering from Wilson\u2019s disease than meat and dairy substitutes, such as tofu, beans, and some nuts. You will want to drink the actual thing rather than relying on nut milk that may contain copper. Put some milk on your refined cereal in the morning or enjoy some cream cheese on a white bagel or butter on toast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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