From the Research
Copper bisglycinate is not effectively absorbed through the skin, and oral supplementation is the recommended approach for increasing copper levels in the body. The skin serves as a protective barrier designed to keep most substances out, and copper compounds, including bisglycinate forms, generally cannot bypass this barrier in meaningful amounts. According to the "500 Dalton rule" proposed by 1, molecules with a molecular weight over 500 Dalton are unlikely to penetrate the skin barrier efficiently, which applies to copper bisglycinate.
Key Points to Consider
- The skin's protective barrier function is a critical factor in determining the absorption of substances, including copper compounds 1.
- Topical application of copper compounds may have local effects on the skin surface, such as antimicrobial properties, but this should not be relied upon for systemic copper supplementation or to address copper deficiency.
- Oral supplementation of copper bisglycinate (typically 1-2 mg daily) is the recommended approach for increasing copper levels in the body, as it can be absorbed through the digestive tract where it enters the bloodstream.
- Recent studies, such as 2, have explored innovative methods for transdermal delivery of copper-based nanoparticles, but these are highly specialized and not directly applicable to the use of copper bisglycinate for systemic supplementation.
Evidence Review
While studies like 3 have investigated the cutaneous absorption of copper from ointments, the findings do not support the use of topical copper applications for systemic supplementation. The most recent and relevant study, 2, focuses on the use of recombinant collagen microneedles for transdermal delivery of antibacterial copper-DNA nanoparticles, which is a highly specialized application and not relevant to the question of copper bisglycinate absorption.
Clinical Implications
In clinical practice, prioritizing oral supplementation of copper bisglycinate over topical application is crucial for effectively increasing copper levels in the body and addressing potential deficiencies, as supported by the understanding of copper's role in the body 4. Oral supplementation remains the most effective and recommended method for systemic copper supplementation.