Benefits of manganese include its contribution to healthy bone structure, bone metabolism, and helping to create essential enzymes for building bones. It also acts as a co-enzyme to assist metabolic activities in the human body. Apart from these, there are other health benefits of manganese including the formation of connective tissues, absorption of calcium, proper functioning of the thyroid gland and sex hormones, regulation of blood sugar level, and metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
Manganese is a naturally occurring mineral in our bodies in very small amounts. Manganese is an actual component of manganese superoxide dismutase enzyme. It is a powerful antioxidant that seeks out the free radicals in the human body and neutralizes these damaging particles, thereby preventing many of the potential dangers they cause.
The body may contain, at most, 20 mg of manganese, which is concentrated in our kidneys, pancreas, liver, and bones. Manganese is very important for the normal functioning of the brain and proper activity of our nervous system throughout the body. As far as research can tell, it is an essential trace mineral for every form of life.
The symptoms of manganese deficiency include high blood pressure, heart ailments, muscular contraction, bone malformation, high cholesterol, poor eyesight, hearing trouble, severe memory loss, shivers, and tremors. Even though some medical experts argue that manganese deficiency is quite rare, more than 35 % of the world population is possibly deficient. Poor dietary habits are the leading cause of such deficiencies.
In some cases, calcium and iron are believed to interfere with the appropriate use of manganese in the human body. Eye problems, sweating, fast heartbeats, weakness, and severe cramps maybe some of the deficiency symptoms. Severe deficiency may cause infertility in women, pancreatic damage, heart problems, and osteoporosis.
The most important sources of manganese are raspberries, pineapples, garlic, grapes, beetroot, green beans, rice, peppermint, oats, nuts, watercress, mustard greens, strawberries, blackberries, tropical fruits, lettuce, spinach, molasses, cloves, turmeric, leeks, tofu, whole wheat, bananas, cucumbers, kiwis, figs, and carrots. The best sources of naturally abundant manganese are green vegetables, brown rice, coconuts, almonds, and hazelnuts since they maximize the absorption of this important mineral.
Let’s take a look at the spectrum of health benefits manganese has to offer.
Manganese is vital for the normal development of the human bone structure. It helps to boost the mineral density of the spine. It has also proved to be beneficial for post-menopausal women. Manganese deficiency in women after menopause can increase the amount of trace minerals and cause minor fractures. Research is going on to establish a concrete evidence that manganese can help prevent osteoporosis and many other diseases.
Manganese has antioxidant properties, which help it to monitor the activity of free radicals in our body . These free radicals can damage human cells and lead to cancer and other harmful diseases. Hence, it is vital to add manganese-rich food sources or supplements to your diet to avert the risk of many diseases.
Manganese can control the blood sugar levels in our body and help prevent diabetes. Manganese can normalize the synthesis and secretion of insulin in the blood to control the level of sugar. This also helps to regulate unpredictable drops in the blood sugar, which makes life easier for diabetics .
Epilepsy is a troublesome disorder, and the deficiency of manganese can trigger epileptic seizures. Manganese can act as a vasodilator and plays a key in treating seizures due to its anti-epileptic qualities . You can use manganese supplements to control minor and major epileptic seizures.
Regulating our body’s metabolism is an essential function of manganese. Manganese-activated enzymes are useful to metabolize cholesterol, amino acids, carbohydrates, and vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin B1. It also helps in proper functioning of the liver. Manganese can help in the metabolism of glutamine (amino acid) and is an integral part of DNA polymerase.
Manganese cures sprains and inflammation by increasing the superoxide dismutase level . This happens due to its antioxidant properties. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) deficiency can be observed in patients with arthritis. SOD has anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate arthritis. Manganese can help to increase the synthesis and functioning of SOD, thus helping reduce the symptoms of the condition.
Manganese supplements can give you relief from osteoporosis and osteoarthritis since this essential mineral can add to the bone density and mineral density. However, further research is needed to specifically explore the impact of manganese on the bone health .
You may not be aware of many other mineral supplements for thyroid disorder other iodine, right? But, manganese is also very much essential for thyroid health.
Manganese is an essential co-factor for various enzymes like thyroxine, a vital hormone in the thyroid gland. It is important to maintain proper functioning of the thyroid gland to avoid health issues. This can be useful to maintain proper appetite, metabolism, weight, and organ system efficiency .
Many women can suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Manganese helps to manage mood swings and reduce headaches, depression, and irritability. Women who suffer from severe PMS symptoms are advised to consume manganese supplements.
Manganese can be useful in the absorption of essential vitamins such as vitamin B, vitamin E, and minerals. It plays an important role in enzymatic reactions required for the absorption and utilization of vitamins obtained from food.
Manganese is found to be very essential in treating many nervous disorders. This property of manganese is due to the availability of superoxide dismutase, which scavenges free radicals from the neural pathways. Manganese also binds with neurotransmitters, thus regulating the transmission of electrical impulses throughout the body and enhancing the cognitive function .
Manganese can also provide instant energy and ensure proper working of the body. It regulates glucose metabolism, thus ensuring proper energy distribution in each and every cell of the body. It also ensures proper absorption of glucose in the muscles and organs .
Though manganese offers a lot of health benefits, you need to limit its consumption and be aware of its side effects. Listed below are a few things you need to keep in mind:
The dietary intakes recommended by the National Academy of Sciences for common masses are as follows.
| Age/Life Stage | Adequate Intake (Per day) |
| 0-6 months | 0.003 mg |
| 7-12 months | 0.6 mg |
| 1-3 years | 1.2 mg |
| 4-8 years | 1.5 mg |
| 9-13 years, female9-13 years, male | 1.6 mg1.9 mg |
| 14-18 years, female14-18 years, male | 1.6 mg2.2 mg |
| 19+ years, female19+ years, male | 1.8 mg2.3 mg |
| Pregnant women | 2.0 mg |
| Lactating women | 2.6 mg |
It is evident from the above-mentioned benefits that manganese can contribute to your overall wellness in a variety of ways.
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