Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

FOODS HIGH IN COPPER

avocado
chocolate
dried fruits: apricots, figs, nectarines, raisins
energy bars and drinks
legumes: black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils,
navy beans, pinto beans, peanuts, soybeans, split peas
mushrooms
nuts: almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia, pecans,
walnuts
organ meats: gizzard, heart, liver, kidney
shellfish: clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, shrimp
whole grains: barley, bran

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

Wilson’s disease occurs as a result of autosomal

recessive GENEmutation. People with a family his-

tory of Wilson’s disease can undergo GENETIC TEST-

INGfor this mutation. Minimizing copper intake

prevents excessive accumulation and its resultant

damage and symptoms. Damage that has already

occurred at the time of diagnosis is often perma-

nent.

See also COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND DYSFUNCTION;

GENETIC DISORDERS; HEMATOCHROMATOSIS; INHERITANCE

PATTERNS; MEMORY AND MEMORY IMPAIRMENT;

PHENYLKETONURIA(PKU).

168 The Endocrine System