Supplements

Manganese

Manganese is a trace element. It occurs widely in plant and animal tissues and is an essential element for many animal species. Manganese absorption occurs throughout the small intestine.

Minute quantities of manganese are needed for protein and fat metabolism, healthy nerves, a healthy immune system, and blood sugar regulation.

People with diabetes typically have only half of what's considered a "normal" manganese level, and the deficiency contributes to their bodies' inability to process sugars. Research shows, with the nutrient, they are better able to manage blood glucose.

Manganese is used in energy production and is required for normal bone growth and for reproduction.

In addition, it is used in the formation of cartilage and synovial (lubricating) fluid of the joints. It is also necessary for the synthesis of bone.

Manganese, an antioxidant, is one of the minerals required to form SOD (superoxide dismutase), one of the enzymes that protect against unstable, cell-damaging free radicals.

The mineral also strengthens arterial tissues, making them more resistant to plaque formation. Manganese can help lower high triglycerides and high cholesterol.

With experimental manganese deficiency, cholesterol falls to an unusually low point. This condition is linked to an increased likelihood of cancer and a tendency toward suicidal behavior.

Manganese if needed for sperm motility in potential fathers. There is a risk of fetal malformations, including increases in neural tube defects, when the mother doesn't have an adequate amount of manganese.

Six different studies confirm that people with epilepsy have lower manganese levels than others. Research repeatedly demonstrates that a manganese deficiency increases the likelihood that an animal will go into convulsions. The conclusion is that the greater the deficiency, the more frequently seizures occur.

The enzymes manganese activates include hydrolases, decarboxylases, kinases, and transferases. Certain other ions (cobalt, magnesium) can replace its function in this capacity. The manganese metalloenzymes include arginase, pyruvate carboxylase, and glutamine synthetase.

Deficiency: A deficiency of manganese can lead to atherosclerosis, confusion, convulsions, eye problems, hearing problems, heart disorders, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, irritability, memory loss, muscle contractions, pancreatic damage profuse perspiration, rapid pulse, tooth-grinding, tremors, and a tendency toward breast ailments.

Depleting Agents: Large intakes of calcium and phosphorus will inhibit absorption, as can the fiber and phytic acid contained in bran and beans.

Sources: Avocados, seaweed, Nuts (especially pecans, almonds), Wheat germ and whole grains, unrefined cereals, leafy vegetables, liver, kidney, legumes, and dried fruits.

Refined grains, meats, and dairy products contain only small amounts of manganese. Highly refined diets contain significantly less manganese (0.36 to 1.78 mg) than diets high in unrefined foods (8.3 mg).

Herb Sources: Alfalfa, burdock root, catnips, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginseng, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, mullein, parsley, peppermint, raspberry, red clover, rose hips, wild yam, yarrow, and yellow dock.

Precautions: There are only a few reports of oral manganese poisoning in man. Manganese toxicity is more common in humans chronically exposed to manganese dust found in steel mills and mines and certain chemical industries.

Dosage Ranges and Duration of Administration: Manganese is available commercially in a wide variety of forms including manganese salts (sulfate and chloride) and manganese chelates (gluconate, picolinate, aspartate, fumarate, malate, succinate, citrate, and amino acid chelate). Preparation doses are typically between 2 and 20 mg.

The exact amount of manganese required by the human body is not known. The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the National Research Council (NRC) has established estimated safe and adequate daily intakes for manganese as follows:

• Infants 0 to 0.5 years: 0.3 to 0.6 mg
• Infants 0.5 to 1 year: 0.6 to 1.0 mg
• Children 1 to 3 years: 1.0 to 1.5 mg
• Children 4 to 6 years: 1.5 to 2.0 mg
• Children 7 to 10 years: 2.0 to 3.0 mg
• Adolescents 11+ years: 2.0 to 5.0 mg
• Adults: 2.0 to 5.0 mg.

These estimates are based on the assumption that most dietary intakes fall in this range and do not result in deficiency or toxicity signs. The estimates may be modified as additional information becomes available. More manganese (10 mg/day) should be consumed if the diet contains high amounts of substances that inhibit manganese absorption. In therapeutic use for epilepsy, inflammation, or diarrhea, the dose may be increased three-to-sixfold.

INTERACTIONS

Haloperidol
In one case report, a patient with progressive hepatic failure who received haloperidol and manganese as part of total parenteral nutrition exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms. Toxic manganese levels may have increased the patient's susceptiblity to haloperidol toxicity.

Phenobarbital
Simultaneous administration of phenobarbital and manganese (5 mg/kg) prevented manganese-induced prolongation of hexobarbital hypnosis in male rats.