Manganese

Sources

• Brown Rice
• Nuts: Pecans, Almonds
• Legumes: pinto, beans, navy beans, peanuts
• Fruit: Pineapples, grapes, berries, kiwi

Deficiency

• Iron and manganese fight for absorption. If you have high iron stores, you will probably have low manganese levels.
• Carpel tunnel syndrome may be a sign of manganese deficiency

Uses

• An anti-oxidant - key component of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) the principle antioxidant inside your mitochondria.
• Helps with energy production as it optimising mitochondrial function (battery of your cell)
• Facilitates cartilage, tendon and bone development. Useful for osteoporosis and arthritis.
• Assists digestion of carbohydrates and in balancing blood sugar levels
• Assists in protein digestion
• Regulation of cholesterol
• Is involved in the production of GABA (GABA promotes calmness, reduces anxiety, stabilises blood pressure and promotes restful sleep).
• Manganese is also called the “brain mineral”. It may promote better memory.
• Plays a role in collagen formation and wound healing
• Plays a role in sex hormone development.

Danger

• High manganese can cause iron deficiency anemia
• Inhaled manganese from industry goes straight to your brain and may cause permanent damage.

Medication interactions

• Taking manganese alongside antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotics
• Magnesium-containing antacids and laxatives may reduce manganese levels
• Iron supplementation may reduce manganese levels

Fun Fact

Manganese is a derivated of the Greek word for magic.