M.G. Skalnaya - Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, Orenburg State University; Center for Biotic Medicine (Moscow) The article opens a series of reviews on the biological role of essential trace elements. This communication is devoted to copper. There considered recent and fundamental data on its participation in physiological processes, metabolism, routes and volumes of entering to the body, relation to various diseases, medical applications. Copper comes into the body mainly with food. In the gastrointestinal tract up to 95% of the ingested copper is absorbed. Divalent copper is absorbed better. Optimum copper intake for humans is 2-3 mg/day. Leading role in copper metabolism belongs to liver. Copper is a vital element that is included in vitamins, hormones, enzymes, respiratory pigments, is involved in various metabolic processes, tissue respiration, promotes iron absorption. It is believed that, several billion people on the planet suffer from copper deficiency in varying degree. Copper deficiency is associated with the development of atherosclerotic dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, impaired carbohydrate tolerance, impaired reproductive function. Decrease of body copper is associated with diseases of the immune system, reduction of leukocytes, neutrophils, decline of antioxidant defense. Most commonly copper deficiency results from its insufficient nutritional intake. However, it can also arise from genetic disturbances, such as Wilson's disease, Menkes disease and Aceruloplasminemia. Copper level in human body is estimated by results of blood, urine, hair investigations, as well as by determination of serum ceruloplasmin and activity of copper containing enzymes. Laboratory detection of deviations in copper metabolism is an indication for pharmacological and nutraceutical correction using products which contains copper or influences its metabolism. A.V. Skalny - Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, General Director of UNESCO Institute of Trace Elements (Lyon, France); Institute of Bioelementology, Orenburg State University (Orenburg, Russia); Laboratory of Biotechnology and Applied Bioelementology, P.G.Demidov Yaroslavl State University (Yaroslavl, Russia)

M.G. Skalnaya - Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, Orenburg State University; Center for Biotic Medicine (Moscow)
A.V. Skalny - Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, General Director of UNESCO Institute of Trace Elements (Lyon, France); Institute of Bioelementology, Orenburg State University (Orenburg, Russia); Laboratory of Biotechnology and Applied Bioelementology, P.G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University (Yaroslavl, Russia)

M.G. Skalnaya - Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, Orenburg State University; Center for Biotic Medicine (Moscow) A.V. Skalny - Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, General Director of UNESCO Institute of Trace Elements (Lyon, France); Institute of Bioelementology, Orenburg State University (Orenburg, Russia); Laboratory of Biotechnology and Applied Bioelementology, P.G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University (Yaroslavl, Russia)