Manganese

The functions of this mineral are not specific since other minerals can perform in its place. Manganese does function in enzyme reactions concerning blood sugar, metabolism, and thyroid hormone function. It also increases concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme. Supplements increase the activity of this enzyme. The injectable form is used primarily in treating strains and sprains, inflammation, epilepsy, and diabetes. By increasing manganese-based SOD, manganese is thought to help with inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Whether oral supplements may benefit these conditions is not clear.¹

Manganese deficiency is not as well defined in humans as in animals. Deficiencies impair growth and fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Animal offspring born of manganese-deficient mothers are likely to inherit ataxia, a movement disorder characterized by poor coordination, poor balance, and retracted head. In human studies reported in 1990 involving a manganese-deficient diet, subjects exhibited skin rashes, loss of hair color, poor growth of hair and nails, lowered HDL cholesterol, and other metabolic impairments.²

Low levels of manganese in blood and hair samples have been found in epileptics. Those with the lowest levels often experience the most seizures. In animal studies, manganese deficiency has led to diabetes and serious pancreatic disorders. Diabetics apparently have half the manganese level of normal persons. As an influence in the enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, manganese supplementation may prove a beneficial treatment in diabetes.³

1 Pasquier C, et al., Manganese-containing superoxide-dismutase deficiency in polymor-phonuclear leukocytes of adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation 8, 27-32, 1984.

2 Keen CL and Zidenberg-Cherr S, Manganese, in Ziegler EE and Filer LJ, Present Knowledge in Nutrition, 7th Edition, 279-286.

3 Rubinstein AH, Levin NW, and Elliott GA, Manganese-induced hypoglycemia, Lancet 2, 1348-1351, 1962.

• Avocados
• Barley
• Beans, dried
• Blackberries
• Bran
• Buckwheat
• Chestnuts
• Cloves
• Coffee
• Dried fruit
• Ginger
• Green leafy vegetables
• Hazelnuts (filberts)
• Oatmeal
• Peanuts
• Peas
• Pecans
• Seaweed
• Spinach
• Whole grains

Available as:

• Capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Take with or immediately after food to decrease stomach irritation.
• A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
• Available as salts in form of manganese sulfate and manganese chloride.
• Also available as manganese picolinate, manganese gluconate, and various chelates.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

PROVEN BENEFITS:

• Promotes normal growth and development.
• Promotes cell function.
• Helps many body enzymes generate energy. Without manganese they could not function.
• Used as a supplement for those receiving long-term nutrition intravenously or through a naso-gastric tube.
• Helps control blood sugar, energy metabolism, thyroid hormone, and the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD).
• Used as treatment for sprains, strains, inflammations, epilepsy, and diabetes.

What this mineral does:

• Manganese is concentrated in cells of pituitary gland, liver, pancreas, kidney and bone. It influences syntheses of muropolysaccharides, stimulates production of cholesterol by the
• liver and is a co-factor in many enzymes.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS:

• Alleviates asthma.
• Helps overcome infertility.
• Alleviates diabetes.
• Helps relieve fatigue.
• Acts as an anti-aging substance.
• Helps treat schizophrenia.
• Provides part of molecules necessary for reproduction.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

• Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements.
• Extremely ill people who must be fed intravenously or by nasa-gastric tube.

Miscellaneous information:

• Manganese is abundant in many foods.
• Miners and workers in some industries are at risk of toxicity from inhaling manganese. Chronic inhalation can lead to symptoms of Parkinson's disease, with the following signs and symptoms:
• Tremors, especially when not moving
• General muscle stiffness and soreness
• Awkward or shuffling walk
• Stooped posture
• Loss of facial expression
• Voice changes—voice becomes weak and high pitched
• Difficulty swallowing
• Intellectual ability unchanged until advanced stages, when it
• deteriorates slowly.
• MANGANESE and MAGNESIUM are NOT related to each other!¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

• Abnormal growth and development of children
• No proven symptoms caused by manganese deficiency in adults
• Low levels of this mineral are linked to epilepsy and diabetes.
• In animals manganese deficiency led to impaired growth, skeletal problems, and impaired carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Deficiency in pregnancy resulted in ataxia, a movement disorder, in offspring.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

• Changes in beard and hair growth—usually a slowing of growth
• Occasional nausea and vomiting
• Hypocholesterolemia
• Weight loss¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

• Serum manganese
• Whole blood, lymphocyte content¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

Optimal Levels

• 2-10 mg.

Minimum Dosage

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):

No RDA has been established. Estimated safe intake given below. The therapeutic dose for epilepsy is 15-30 mg per day. The dosage for diabetes is 5-15 mg per day.

Don't take if you:

• Are healthy and eat regular, balanced meals.

Consult your doctor if you have:

• Liver disease.

Over age 55:

• No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:

• Don't take supplements with manganese unless prescribed by your doctor.
• Don't take megadoses.

Breast feeding:

• Don't take supplements with manganese unless prescribed by your doctor.
• Don't take megadoses.

Effect on lab tests:

• Excess manganese can reduce serum iron.

Storage:

• Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze.
• Store safely out of reach of children.
• Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.

Others:

Check with your industrial health office if you are a miner or industrial worker to make sure your work environment does not contain toxic amounts of manganese.¹

OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

Signs and symptoms:

• Delusions, hallucinations, insomnia, depression, impotence.
• Dietary and supplemental intakes of manganese are associated with a low level of toxicity. Manganese from environmental pollution can be highly toxic, resulting in hallucinations, violent acts, and other psychological symptoms.

What to do:

• For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS.
• For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Call emergency services, the telephone operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.¹

ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

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