Manganese is a chemical element and is found throughout nature and in various minerals. However, besides multiple industrial uses for manganese, it is also used in health supplements and medicine. Manganese is actually found in all living things, as the ions of manganese help in detoxifying what are known as superoxide free radicals.
On average, the human body already contains about ten milligram of manganese, which is stored inside the liver and in the kidneys. The body relies on manganese for growth, as this chemical element helps to break down fats, carbs and proteins. Manganese deficiency is not a common problem among human beings, though it has been observed in many animal species.
In general, you must keep an adequate supply of manganese in your body, and this is why healthy foods like whole grains, cereals, lettuce, dry beans and peas are strongly recommended—they all contain manganese. There are already about 20 milligrams or less of this chemical element inside the human body at any given time. However, the benefits and risks of additional manganese supplementation bear consideration.
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Manganese Benefits and Processes The benefits of manganese are closely related to the body’s natural and optimal functions. Manganese activates enzyme activity, which is involved in metabolism, bone formation, tissue formation, and insulin and cholesterol production. Proper levels of manga... more
The benefits of manganese are closely related to the body’s natural and optimal functions. Manganese activates enzyme activity, which is involved in metabolism, bone formation, tissue formation, and insulin and cholesterol production. Proper levels of manganese also help to keep the immune system strong, the body energized, and in maintaining sex hormones and the reproductive cycle.
If a person is low on manganese then this could explain symptoms associated with chronic illness. For example, a deficiency in this chemical element could cause problems with cholesterol, decreased hair growth, weight loss and problems with metabolism. It has also been linked with muscle growth and skeletal growth in children.
The primary benefits associated with manganese supplementation have to do with the body’s return to health, including the alleviation of osteoporosis pain, arthritis and a strengthening of bones and muscles. Some users of manganese supplements have also reported an improvement in hearing and vision, as well as a reduction in cholesterol. Manganese in supplementation form has even been suggested as a treatment for infertility.
Mental benefits include the alleviation of regular symptoms like memory loss, irritability, depression and anxiety, particularly in women suffering from PMS. Manganese assists the body in absorbing other important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B, vitamin E and magnesium. Its benefits are varied, mainly because maintaining proper health results in a number of physical and mental improvements.
If a person is low on manganese levels then supplementation may be encouraged. However, proper dosage is encouraged so that patients do not risk suffering any side effects. The most commonly recommended dosage is between two to five milligrams per day, either in table or capsule form. However, some people actually take up to ten milligrams a day.
For the most part, a deficiency in manganese is not the norm. Eleven grams a day is cited as the over-dosage limit by a few institutions and health organizations. This standard not only applies to supplementation but also to regular food and dieting.
Fortunately, you can get plenty of manganese content from traditional foods so that supplementation needs will be minimal. In addition to cereal and grains, there is also manganese nutrition in fruits, vegetables, egg yolks and other greens.
When looking for supplements you will have the option of buying manganese gluconate, manganese ascorbate, manganese sulfate and manganese amino acid chelates. This supplemental content can be combined with other nutrients or sold as its own product. There are also some ingredients that can affect the absorption rate of manganese, including calcium and iron. Thus, a person’s intake of manganese may have to be adjusted accordingly.
The risk of taking manganese supplements is in overdosing, as this can cause some neurological damage, including symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. In fact, high levels of manganese can be toxic, and this is a concern that OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has had with some industrial companies. Some evidence suggests that toxic levels of manganese can lead to liver failure.
It is recommended that patients tell their doctors before starting a new manganese supplementation diet because of the risk of interaction with another prescription drug. Alcohol and tobacco can affect absorption and perhaps lead to other complications. In particular, individuals who suffer from Biliary disease or liver disease are at a slightly higher risk level than average and may need an doctor-recommended adjustment in their supplement dosages.
Manganese is a naturally occurring chemical element, but the key emphasis is on building up enough manganese so that the body can sustain itself and provide proper break down, digestion and growth. An abundance of manganese is toxic and not beneficial. A manganese deficiency is rarer than other types of deficiencies so it’s best to talk to a doctor before trying a drastic change in dieting—which in this case, includes supplementation.
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| Overdose Toxicity |
| Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Aminoate, Manganese Ascorbate, Manganese Aspartate Complex, Manganese Chloride, Manganese Chloridetetrahydrate, Manganese Citrate, Manganese Dioxide, Manganese Gluconate, Manganese Glycerophosphate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate Monohydrate, Manganese Sulfate Tetrahydrate, Manganeso, Manganum, Mn |
| Anxiety |
| Arthritis |
| Cholesterol |
| Depression |
| Energy |
| Hearing |
| Immunity |
| Infertility |
| Insulin Regulation |
| Irritability |
| Memory Loss |
| Metabolism |
| Muscle Growth |
| Pain Associated With Osteoporosis |
| PMS |
| Vision |