Looking after yourself
Diet
A low copper diet does not mean you have to avoid copper completely. As many foods contain copper, reducing and balancing your intake of certain foods (rather than steering clear of them) is the most realistic way of getting the nutrients you need. Your doctor or a dietician can advise you on managing your diet to achieve this.
The following foods are commonly known to contain a very high concentration of copper:
- mushrooms
- nuts
- chocolate
- dried fruits such as raisins, dates and prunes
- dried beans such as soy, lima, pinto and even baked beans
- dried peas and lentils
- grains such as whole wheat, barley and millet
- soya products such as soya milk and tofu
- offal such as liver, heart and kidneys
- shellfish such as oysters, mussels, shrimps and prawns.
This list is by no means exhaustive. The copper content in foods can also vary depending on a number of factors such as the location of the soil in which the food was grown (copper-containing compounds may be used in farming or agriculture) or the method or utensils used to process the food.
It is also recommended that you try to drink distilled or ‘de-mineralised’ water rather than water from a tap that may have flowed through copper pipes.
If you are being treated with penicillamine you may require further supplements of vitamin B. This is because penicillamine can increase your body’s need for pyridoxine (vitamin B6). It is useful to ask your doctor if you require supplements and if these should be prescribed or bought from a pharmacy.
Alcohol
Anyone with a liver condition should approach alcohol with caution. It is a good idea to reduce your consumption to below recommended levels or abstain from drinking if you can. Drinking alcohol is likely to speed up and worsen the impact of Wilson’s disease. If you have cirrhosis it is sensible to avoid alcohol completely.