Ischemic heart disease: nutrition or pharmacotherapy?

Abstract There are many diseases of unknown etiology. Increasingly vibrant, contemporary research is attempting to associate trace element metabolism with some of these illnesses. Because trace elements can produce profound effects on health via enzymes, hormones and messenger molecules, analytical assessment must be directed toward these chemicals as well as to the trace elements. Element analysis may be directed best toward specific cells, tissues and organs. Copper deficiency is associated with the etiology, pathogenesis and pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease via metabolic processes affecting cardiovascular health. Some drugs now used to treat heart disease affect copper metabolism but many other metabolic processes are unaffected by deficiency. It seems prudent to avoid diets containing amounts of copper that have been proved insufficient for people in controlled experiments.