Manganese

Manganese, an essential trace element for the human body and other living organisms is probably not known to many people. So our intention is giving you some information about manganese and especially the health benefits of manganese. Manganese is a gray white metal resembling iron. Manganese concentration in human serum is used by the human body in many enzyme processes and is found in the human body mainly in the bones and some in the kidneys, liver, pancreas and several glands. A high manganese diet can help with utilizing nutrients such as biotin, thiamin, ascorbic acid and choline, keep bones strong and healthy, helps synthesizing cholesterol and fatty acids, maintains normal blood sugar levels and maintains a healthy nervous system.

Foods high in manganese content are mustard greens, kale, chard, raspberries, pineapple, maple syrup, collard greens and romaine lettuce. Another source for good amounts of manganese is the manganese content of chicken liver or the manganese content of whole wheat. Whole grin should be included in every diet, since it is a good source for dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals in general. Manganese is also available in supplements in case of insufficient dietary intake.

Manganese deficiency calls for a diet rich in manganese. Symptoms of manganese deficiency in humans can include nausea, vomiting, high blood sugar levels, skin rash, bone loss, low cholesterol levels, dizziness, hearing loss and problems with the reproductive system.

Manganese toxicity is mostly seen in workers exposed to manganese dust and their mains symptom form this exposure is a nervous system problem similar to Parkinson's disease. If manganese is taken in very high doses a so-called “manganese madness” can appear. Associated with this toxicity symptom are hallucinations, violent acts and irritability. Some studies evens suggest that manganese overdoses are related to impotency.

The liver mainly facilitates manganese removal from the human body and it gets like so many other essential nutrients excreted over the urine.

By lowering manganese levels in the body for example through higher vitamin c levels there benefits of low manganese on fibroids. Low manganese levels are mentioned in connection with lowering the risk of fibroids, a certain kind of tumors.

Manganese content of beer is an important issue for beer brewers since certain high and low amounts of manganese in the water used to make beer can affect the fermentation process of beer.

Other manganese information can be found in the publications and pages of the International Mineral Associtation.