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MANGANESE |
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| Facts |
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Manganese is a trace mineral
that is concentrated mainly in the bone, liver,
pancreas and brain.
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On average, most people excrete
about 4 mg. of manganese each day.1
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Dietary sources of manganese
include whole grain cereals, eggs, nuts, seeds
and green vegetables. The majority of manganese
is lost in the processing and milling process
of foods and, in the case of vegetables, manganese
content varies depending on the amount contained
in the soil.
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| Functions |
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Manganese is a component of several
enzymes and therefore acts as a catalyst in the
synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids and plays
a role in protein, fat and carbohydrate production.1
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It also activates a number of
other enzymes including formation of cartilage
in the bone and skin.2
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Manganese is important
for the production of milk, formation or urea, part
of the urine. It also maintains sex-hormone production,
nourishes the nerves and brain and is essential
for the formation of thyroxine, an important component
of the thyroid gland. |
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Requirements
No Recommended Daily Allowance has been set for Manganese.
Signs of Deficiency
Symptoms include: dizziness, ear noises, loss of hearing,
impaired glucose tolerance, cholesterol metabolism,
atherosclerosis, and ataxia (failure of muscle coordination).1
Signs of Toxicity
According to the American Society for Nutritional Sciences,
"There is no evidence of toxicity occurring from ingestion
of typical diets."2 Toxicity has occurred from industrial
exposure, i.e. miners inhaling manganese dust and drinking
contaminated well-water. Symptoms include: weakness
and psychological and motor difficulties.1
Current Research
General
Lower manganese
levels have been noted in patients with osteoporosis,
non-trauma epilepsy and Perthes' disease. In addition,
low levels of manganese lower the levels of Mn-superoxide
dismutase, which prevents against tissue damage caused
by the oxidation of fat. This, in turn, may increase
one's risk for colon cancer. Manganese has been shown
to be helpful in treating diabetes.
Schizophrenia
Many schizophrenics have high levels of
copper in the body. Manganese, as well as zinc, has
been shown to be effective in excreting copper from
the body.1
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1.Dunne, L.J. Nutrition Almanac, 3rd ed.
McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, 1990:80-81
2 Freeland-Graves J., Johnson P. Manganese. http:www.nutrition.org/nutinfo/content/mang.shtml.
3 Schauss, A. Minerals and human health: the rationale
for optimal and balanced trace element levels. LifeSciences
Press, 1995: pp.14-15.
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