Zinc, Copper and the Right/Left Brain Connection

In the early 1980’s, Dr Paul Eck made an observation between zinc and copper on a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and how they relate with the functions of the brain and mind. He found that copper was primarily a right-brain element giving rise to creativity, while zinc was a more left-brain element, increasing logical, sequential and numerical thinking.

My observations concur with Dr Paul Eck’s in that any imbalance between these two elements seems to be reflected in a person’s character and that these zinc or copper dominant individuals typically correlate with the metabolic (oxidation) rates.

For example, the high zinc or left-brain dominant person is typically very logical and rigid in their thinking, and they may be overcautious and detailed in their approach to everything. They make great accountants, entrepreneurs, lawyers or engineers, and also tend to be obsessive regarding little details. They are often unable to leave the office unless everything is in total order. The zinc-orientated individuals can be very anxious and even develop phobias if the mineral imbalance is severe enough. The anxiety usually stems from day-to-day things that are blown out of proportion. These zinc-orientated individuals are typically found to be Fast Oxidisers.

While the high copper or right-brain dominant person may be more easy-going, loving, and creative, they make excellent artist’s, philosophers, and designers. But if the mineral balance is out far enough, they will start to be entirely irrational, and develop phobias based on no logical reasoning what so ever. These individuals develop a form of psychosis in that they do not see reality for what it is and will believe situations that they have created within their own minds to be true. The copper-orientated individual’s are often found to be Slow Oxidisers.

Another interesting correlation between these elements and the function of the brain is that copper stimulates our emotional brain (the diencephalon) which is correlated with more of an animalistic fight-flight response. While zinc stimulates the new brain (the cortex), which enables us to have rational thoughts, and is calming to the emotions.