Nutrients – Manganese

To contact us Click HERE

Manganese
OverviewManganese is a trace mineral that ispresent in tiny amounts in the body. It is found mostly in bones,the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Manganese helps the body formconnective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. It also plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calciumabsorption, and blood sugar regulation. Manganese is also necessaryfor normal brain and nerve function.
Manganese is a component of theantioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps fight freeradicals. Free radicals occur naturally in the body but can damagecell membranes and DNA. They may play a role in aging, as well asthe development of a number of health conditions, including heartdisease and cancer. Antioxidants, such as SOD, can help neutralizefree radicals and reduce or even help prevent some of the damage theycause.
Low levels of manganese in the body cancontribute to infertility, bone malformation, weakness, and seizures. It is fairly easy to get enough manganese in your diet -- thisnutrient is found in whole grains, nuts, and seeds -- but someexperts estimate that as many as 37% of Americans do not get therecommended dietary intake (RDI) of manganese in their diet. TheAmerican diet tends to contain more refined grains than whole grains,and refined grains only provide half the amount of manganese as wholegrains.
Deficiency Symptoms1. Asthma – Low manganese levels are consistently associatedwith childhood asthma, while one study found a similar relationshipbetween dietary manganese intake and asthma in adults. 2. Ineffective utilization of several key nutrients –Choline, thiamin, ascorbic acid, and biotin all require adequatemanganese to be utilized by the body. 3. Low thyroxine (thyroid hormone T4) – Manganese isessential in the production of T4. 4. Osteoporosis and joint pain - Bone mineral density doesn’tjust come down to calcium (or magnesium). Manganese also plays asmall but important role in skeletal health. Consider the story ofBill Walton, basketball legend and the greatest hyperbolist in thehistory of Western Civilization, who was diagnosed with osteoporosisat the height of his career after a series of broken bones that wouldnot heal. The cause? A macrobiotic diet that left his serummanganese levels entirely undetectable. 5. Low HDL – In women fed a manganese-deficient diet, HDLplummeted.
TestsTrace mineral testing is usuallyperformed on a blood sample. Sometimes a 24-hour urine collection isobtained. Special metal-free blood or acid-washed urine containersare used to minimize the potential for sample contamination by anyoutside sources of minerals.
Blood and urine reflect recent mineralintake. Rarely, hair may be collected or a biopsy may be performedto obtain a tissue sample to evaluate mineral deficiencies, excesses,and storage that have occurred over time.
Recommended Daily AllowanceThe daily Adequate Intake (AI) formanganese is listed below. Supplements and dietary intake ofmanganese together should not exceed 10 milligrams per day because ofthe risk of nervous system side effects. You should only takemanganese supplements under the supervision of your doctor; that isespecially true for children.
Children and Infants Infants 0 - 6 months: 0.003 mg Infants 7 months - 1 year: 0.6mg Children 1 - 3 years: 1.2 mg Children 4 - 8 years: 1.5 mg Males 9 - 13 years: 1.9 mg Males 14 - 18 years: 2.2 mg Females 9 - 18 years: 1.6 mgAdult Males 19 years and older: 2.3mg Females 19 years and older: 1.8mg Pregnant women: 2 mg Breastfeeding women: 2.6 mg
Pregnant women and nursing mothersshould avoid intakes of manganese above the upper limit of the AI,unless under a doctor's supervision.
FunctionDiabetes is a possible problemassociated with manganese. Some studies show that people withdiabetes have low levels of manganese in their blood. Researchersdon't know if having diabetes causes levels to drop, or whether lowlevels of manganese contribute to developing diabetes. It should bea priority that more studies are needed. One clinical study foundthat people with diabetes who had higher blood levels of manganesewere more protected from LDL or "bad" cholesterol thanthose with lower levels of manganese.
Food SourcesThe following are important sources ofmanganese. In descending order from richest, hazelnuts, pine nuts,pecans, walnuts, mac nuts, and almonds are all good sources ofmanganese. Bivalves from the sea and mussels are the best source,followed by oysters and clams. Raspberries and dark chocolate wheneaten together can also be an excellent source. Other dietarysources of manganese include wheat germ and whole grains (includingunrefined cereals, buckwheat, bulgur wheat, and oats), legumes, andpineapples.
Precautions ToxicityInhaled manganeseManganese toxicity can result inmultiple neurological problems and is a well-recognized health hazardfor people who inhale manganese dust, such as welders and smelters. Unlike ingested manganese, inhaled manganese is transported directlyto the brain before it can be metabolized in the liver. The symptomsof manganese toxicity generally appear slowly over a period of monthsto years. In its worst form, manganese toxicity can result in apermanent neurological disorder with symptoms similar to those ofParkinson's disease, including tremors, difficulty walking, andfacial muscle spasms. This syndrome, often called manganism, issometimes preceded by psychiatric symptoms, such as irritability,aggressiveness, and even hallucinations. Environmental oroccupational inhalation of manganese can cause an inflammatoryresponse in the lungs. Clinical symptoms of effects to the lunginclude cough, acute bronchitis, and decreased lung function.
Methylcyclopentadienyl manganesetricarbonyl (MMT)MMT is a manganese-containing compoundused in gasoline as an anti-knock additive. Although it has been usedfor this purpose in Canada for more than 20 years, uncertainty aboutadverse health effects from inhaled exhaust emissions kept the USenvironmental protection agency (EPA) from approving its use inunleaded gasoline. In 1995, a U.S. court decision made MMT availablefor widespread use in unleaded gasoline. A study in Montreal, whereMMT had been used for more than ten years, found airborne manganeselevels to be similar to those in areas where MMT was not used. Amore recent Canadian study found higher concentrations of respirablemanganese in an urban versus a rural area, but average concentrationsin both areas were below the safe level set by the U.S. EPA.
Ingested manganeseLimited evidence suggests that highmanganese intakes from drinking water may be associated withneurological symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease. Severe neurological symptoms were reported in 25 people who drankwater contaminated with manganese. Manganese in drinking water maybe more bioavailable than manganese in food. Additionally, studiesthat are more recent have shown that children exposed to high levelsof manganese through drinking water experience cognitive andbehavioral deficits. Manganese toxicity resulting from foods alonehas not been reported in humans, even though certain vegetarian dietscould provide up to 20 mg/day of manganese.
Possible InteractionsIf you are currently being treated withany of the following medications, you should not use manganesesupplements without first talking to your health care provider.1. Haloperidol and other antipsychotics -- There has been atleast one clinical report of an interaction between haloperidol andmanganese that resulted in hallucinations and behavioral changes in aperson with liver disease. In addition, some experts believe thatmedications for schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis may worsenside effects from manganese supplements. If you take antipsychoticmedications, do not take manganese without first talking to yourdoctor.2. Reserpine -- Reserpine, a medication used to treat highblood pressure, may lower manganese levels in the body.3. Antacids -- Magnesium containing antacids may decrease theabsorption of manganese if taken together. Take supplementscontaining manganese at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after takingantacids.4. Laxatives -- Magnesium containing laxatives may decreasethe absorption of manganese if taken together. Take supplementscontaining manganese at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after takinglaxatives.5. Tetracycline antibiotics -- These drugs may reduce theabsorption of manganese if taken together. Take supplementscontaining manganese at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after takingthese antibiotics. They include tetracycline, minocycline (Minocin),and demeclocycline (Declomycin).6. Quinolone Antibiotics -- Manganese may inhibit the body'sabsorption of these medications.