Manganese: Health Benefits, Deficiencies, Side Effects, Tips

Introduction

Manganese is an important mineral with symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is not a free element in nature and is mostly found in combination with iron. Manganese is an important metal alloy used in stainless steels. It is an important nutrient which is required by the body for proper functioning of several organs and is found in many food items like nuts, legumes, green vegetables and whole grains etc. People also consume manganese as a medicine.

Manganese is used for combating manganese deficiency, a condition in which the body doesn’t have required quantity manganese. Manganese is sometimes included with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride for treatment of osteoarthritis.

History of manganese

The prehistoric cave painters of the Lascaux region of France used manganese in the form of the black ore pyrolusite (manganese dioxide, MnO₂) around 30,000 years ago. It has been also used by the glass makers to get rid of the pale greenish tint of a natural glass.

In 1740, the Berlin glass technologist Johann Heinrich Pott evaluated manganese chemically and reported that it did not contain any iron. He made potassium permanganate (KMnO₄), one of the strongest oxidizing agents known. The Swedish chemist and mineralogist Johan Gottlieb Gahn in 1774 tried to isolate the manganese metal component in pyrolusite. However, a Vienna student, Ignatius Kaim, had already reported about manganese metal in his dissertation written in 1771.

Use of manganese

Manganese is very brittle to be used as a pure metal. It is commonly used in alloys like steel. Steel has about 1% manganese, to elevate the strength and also improve feasibility and resistance to wear. Manganese steel has 13% manganese. This is very strong and is utilized for railway tracks, prison bars, safes and rifle barrels. Aluminum with 1.5 % manganese Drinks cans are made of an alloy of aluminum with 1.5% manganese, to improve ability to resist corrosion. With aluminum, antimony and copper, manganese forms highly magnetic alloys. Manganese (IV) is also used as a rubber additive and to decolorize glass that is colored green by iron contaminants. Manganese sulfate is used to make a fungicide. Manganese (II) oxide is a strong oxidizing agent and is utilized in the quantitative analysis. It is also used to make fertilizers and ceramics. (Emsley, 2001)

Biological role

Manganese is a vital nutrient required by all known living organisms. It is present in many enzymes like the enzyme which has a part to play in converting molecules of water into oxygen during photosynthesis comprises of four atoms of manganese.

Manganese is added as a fertilizer to soils which are deficient in manganese percentage, to serve as a food supplement to grazing animals. The average human body has around 12 milligrams of manganese. We humans consume about 4 milligrams every day from foods like nuts, bran, parsley, wholegrain cereals and tea. Manganese is essential for bone growth and it vital for utilization of vitamin B1.

Natural abundance

Manganese mining is done mainly in China, Africa, Australia and Gabon. The metal is obtained by lowering the oxide with sodium, magnesium or aluminum, or by the electrolysis of manganese sulfate. Manganese nodules are seen on the floor of the oceans.

Daily recommended intake of manganese

The National Academy of Sciences in 2001 recommended Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for manganese. These DRIs were Adequate Intake levels, or AIs. These recommendations are given below (Trumbo et al, 2001):

• 0-6 month old: 0.003 mg
• 7-12 month old: 0.6 mg
• 1-3 year old: 1.2 mg
• 4-8 year old: 1.5 mg
• 9-13 years, women: 1.6 mg
• 9-13 years, men: 1.9 mg
• 14-18 years, women: 1.6 mg
• 14-18 years, men: 2.2 mg
• 19+ years, women: 1.8 mg
• 19+ years, men: 2.3 mg
• Pregnant women: 2.0 mg
• Lactating women: 2.6 mg

These 2001 DRI guidelines also set a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of 11 mg for total daily manganese intake. The Daily Value (DV) for manganese is 2 mg per 2000 calories.

Signs and symptoms of manganese deficiency

Manganese deficiency is very rare and does not typically occur unless manganese is removed from the diet. However, there are people who may not be getting the optimum levels of manganese required for health (Ulene, 1999). Diet poor in manganese content results in manganese deficiency. Also, the intestinal tract disorders that obstruct the absorption of nutrients from food is another reason for manganese deficiency.

Other factors that result in symptoms of manganese deficiency include:

• Too much sweating, since huge content of manganese is lost in sweat
• antacids or oral contraceptives obstruct with manganese absorption
• iron, copper and magnesium lower manganese in the body and excessive intake of any of those minerals can deplete it
• chronic liver and gallbladder disorders may increase intake requirements, as the release of too much bile and its proper circulation is needed for transport of manganese throughout the body

Due to the significance of manganese in enzyme activation, a deficiency can have adverse effects on many biochemical activities in the body (Finley, 1999).

	Manganese Deficiency Symptoms
1.	nausea or dizziness
2.	vomiting
3.	skin rash
4.	Loss of hearing
5.	Anemia (iron deficiency) due to manganese’s function in iron utilization
6.	high blood sugar levels (impaired glucose tolerance)
7.	Too low blood cholesterol levels
8.	altered bone growth or skeletal disorders, especially in children
9.	Bone loss and fragile hair and nails
10.	loss of hair color
11.	Reproductive dysfunction
12.	severe deficiency in infants can cause convulsions, paralysis, blindness and deafness

Top health benefits of Manganese

1. Important for healthy bones and in preventing Osteoporosis

Rico (1991) in his studies reported that manganese is an essential nutrient for growth and development of human bone structure as it is an effective mineral in facilitating the building up of mineral density of spinal bone. Manganese is mostly important for women who go through menopause. Manganese, when consumed along with other essential minerals like calcium, zinc and boron, is useful to naturally treat osteoporosis and also helps to lower the bone loss especially in old women folk who are more receptive to bone fractures and fragile bones. Manganese fosters the formation of bone regulatory hormones and enzymes responsible for bone metabolism.

2. Works as an antioxidant and is important for enzyme function

There are certain enzymes in the body like arginase, glutamine synthetase and manganese superoxide which have manganese in them and work as antioxidants, helping declined levels of oxidative stress and swelling that can lead to heart disease or cancer.

Manganese is important for manganese-related superoxide dismutase function because this is one of the essential free radical damage-fighting enzymes in the body. In fact, superoxide dismutase is often called the “primary” or “master antioxidant” because it reduces inflammation, pain and stress in the body which can result in different chronic diseases. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) enzymes has the tendency to consume superoxide radicals, which slow down the aging process and are beneficial for overall health (Kiefer, 2006)

Manganese is essential in the formation of bone development enzymes called glycosyltransferases and xylosyltransferases. Manganese also plays a role in important digestive enzymes that convert compounds available in food items into useable nutrients and energy inside the body, including glucose and amino acids.

3. Helps maintain cognitive function

Manganese has the tendency to bind with neurotransmitters and foster faster transmission of electrical impulses in the entire body, accelerating cognitive function. Manganese is discharged into the brain’s synaptic cleft affecting synaptic neurotransmission. So manganese deficiency can make people more vulnerable to mental illness, mood changes and learning disabilities (Takeda, 2003).

4. Controls sugar levels (Diabetes)

Manganese has also displayed effectiveness in the production of digestive enzymes required for the process of Gluconeogenesis which involves a conversion of protein’s amino acids into sugar and in balancing the sugar level in human blood which further helps to avert the occurrence of diseases like diabetes.Manganese normalizes insulin synthesis and discharge, and the uncertain drops in blood sugar can be better managed, ensuring a normal and functional life for people having diabetes (Lee et al, 2013).

5. Supports lung and respiratory health

Manganese consumed along with selenium and zinc intravenously (by IV) helps people with worsened COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) to breathe properly on their own without the help of a machine. Manganese helps to lower inflammation and the oxidative stress which is believed to be a key mechanism for smoking-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory problems, through the production of SODs (Superoxide dismutases enzymes) which makes it useful for those in need of lung healing (Epperly et al, 1998)

6. Helps with weight loss

Manganese if taken in a specific form called 7-Keto Naturalean along with the combination of other supportive nutrients like L-tyrosine, asparagus root extract, choline, copper and potassium, helps to lose weight in obese people. This is due to the fact of manganese’s ability to improve digestive enzymes and balance hormones.

7. Helps balance iron levels and prevents anemia

Iron and manganese are closely associated and there is a strong inverse relationship between iron deficiency and elevated manganese levels. While overly high manganese can cause anemia, manganese also helps the body to utilize and store iron to some extent as well, which can help prevent anemia (low iron) (Titus et al, 1928).

8. Thyroid health

Manganese is an essential co-factor for several enzymes, and it is an important component of thyroxine, debatably the hormone in the thyroid gland. Appropriate functioning of the thyroid gland and its hormonal synthesis is useful for various health issues in the body, including loss of weight, organ system efficiency, loss of appetite and metabolism disorders.

9. Speeds up wound healing

Manganese along with calcium and zinc speeds up healing of serious and chronic wounds significantly over a period of 12 weeks (Haydock, 1987).

10. Aids in vitamin absorption

Manganese facilitates absorption of important vitamins like vitamin B and E and minerals like magnesium. This is because of the role of manganese in the enzymatic reactions that are required to absorb and utilize vitamins taken in from food. Manganese is one of the most adaptable co-factors for enzymatic reactions, and if there is a danger of having a deficiency of some vitamins, then it’s requisite to increase manganese concentration, as long as they are still within safe and non-poisonous levels (Rhode, 2000).

11. Alleviating PMS syndrome

Women most commonly suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). During these times, consumption of manganese along with calcium improves the PMS symptoms as it helps to reduce the mood swings, irritability, muscle pain, trouble sleeping, tenderness, headaches and depression to a reasonable extent. One study done by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that women who have lesser manganese percentage in their blood experience more pain and mood-related symptoms during pre-menstruation (Penland, 1993).

12. Prevents Infertility

Manganese deficiency can result in infertility since manganese aids hormone regulation and antioxidant function, thus manganese plays a role as a natural infertility treatment.

Best natural sources of manganese (Food)

Below is the list of food items that are rich in manganese content (Mateljan, 2007):

World’s healthiest foods ranked as quality sources of manganese
Food	Serving size	Cals	Amount (mg)	DRI/DV %	Nutrient Density	World’s healthiest food rating
Cloves	2 tsp	11.5	2.53	127	197.8	excellent
Oats	0.25 cup	151.7	1.92	96	11.4	excellent
Brown Rice	1 cup	216.4	1.76	88	7.3	excellent
Garbanzo Beans	1 cup	269.0	1.69	85	5.7	excellent
Spinach	1 cup	41.4	1.68	84	36.5	excellent
Pineapple	1 cup	82.5	1.53	77	16.7	excellent
Collard Greens	1 cup	62.7	0.97	49	13.9	excellent
Cinnamon	2 tsp	12.8	0.91	46	63.8	excellent
Raspberries	1 cup	64.0	0.82	41	11.5	excellent
Black Pepper	2 tsp	14.6	0.74	37	45.7	excellent
Beet Greens	1 cup	38.9	0.74	37	17.1	excellent
Swiss Chard	1 cup	35.0	0.58	29	14.9	excellent
Strawberries	1 cup	46.1	0.56	28	10.9	excellent
Kale	1 cup	36.4	0.54	27	13.4	excellent
Turnip Greens	1 cup	28.8	0.49	25	15.3	excellent
Mustard Greens	1 cup	36.4	0.38	19	9.4	excellent
Summer Squash	1 cup	36.0	0.38	19	9.5	excellent
Turmeric	2 tsp	15.6	0.34	17	19.6	excellent
Sea Vegetables	1 TBS	10.8	0.31	16	25.7	excellent
Garlic	6 cloves	26.8	0.30	15	10.1	excellent
Basil	0.50 cup	4.9	0.24	12	44.3	excellent
Bok Choy	1 cup	20.4	0.24	12	10.6	excellent
Pumpkin Seeds	0.25 cup	180.3	1.47	74	7.3	very good
Tempeh	4 oz	222.3	1.46	73	5.9	very good
Rye	0.33 cup	188.5	1.44	72	6.9	very good
Soybeans	1 cup	297.6	1.42	71	4.3	very good
Tofu	4 oz	164.4	1.34	67	7.3	very good
Barley	0.33 cup	217.1	1.19	60	4.9	very good
Quinoa	0.75 cup	222.0	1.17	59	4.7	very good
Wheat	1 cup	151.1	1.11	56	6.6	very good
Walnuts	0.25 cup	196.2	1.02	51	4.7	very good
Sweet Potato	1 cup	180.0	0.99	50	5.0	very good
Lentils	1 cup	229.7	0.98	49	3.8	very good
Lima Beans	1 cup	216.2	0.97	49	4.0	very good
Navy Beans	1 cup	254.8	0.96	48	3.4	very good
Sesame Seeds	0.25 cup	206.3	0.89	45	3.9	very good
Green Peas	1 cup	115.7	0.72	36	5.6	very good
Buckwheat	1 cup	154.6	0.68	34	4.0	very good
Beets	1 cup	74.8	0.55	28	6.6	very good
Almonds	0.25 cup	132.2	0.53	27	3.6	very good
Blueberries	1 cup	84.4	0.50	25	5.3	very good
Winter Squash	1 cup	75.8	0.38	19	4.5	very good
Cranberries	1 cup	46.0	0.36	18	7.0	very good
Green Beans	1 cup	43.8	0.36	18	7.4	very good
Brussels Sprouts	1 cup	56.2	0.35	18	5.6	very good
Flaxseeds	2 TBS	74.8	0.35	18	4.2	very good
Cabbage	1 cup	43.5	0.33	17	6.8	very good
Broccoli	1 cup	54.6	0.30	15	4.9	very good
Asparagus	1 cup	39.6	0.28	14	6.4	very good
Leeks	1 cup	32.2	0.26	13	7.3	very good
Tomatoes	1 cup	32.4	0.21	11	5.8	very good
Fennel	1 cup	27.0	0.17	9	5.7	very good
Cauliflower	1 cup	28.5	0.16	8	5.0	very good
Romaine Lettuce	2 cups	16.0	0.15	8	8.4	very good
Miso	1 TBS	34.2	0.15	8	3.9	very good
Cumin	2 tsp	15.8	0.14	7	8.0	very good
Mushrooms, Crimini	1 cup	15.8	0.10	5	5.7	very good
Oregano	2 tsp	5.3	0.10	5	17.0	very good
Mustard Seeds	2 tsp	20.3	0.10	5	4.4	very good
Celery	1 cup	16.2	0.10	5	5.6	very good
Dried Peas	1 cup	231.3	0.78	39	3.0	good
Pinto Beans	1 cup	244.5	0.77	39	2.8	good
Black Beans	1 cup	227.0	0.76	38	3.0	good
Kidney Beans	1 cup	224.8	0.76	38	3.0	good
Peanuts	0.25 cup	206.9	0.71	36	3.1	good
Sunflower Seeds	0.25 cup	204.4	0.68	34	3.0	good
Cashews	0.25 cup	221.2	0.66	33	2.7	good
Millet	1 cup	207.1	0.47	24	2.0	good
Potatoes	1 cup	160.9	0.38	19	2.1	good
Banana	1 medium	105.0	0.32	16	2.7	good
Onions	1 cup	92.4	0.32	16	3.1	good
Carrots	1 cup	50.0	0.17	9	3.1	good
Mushrooms, Shiitake	0.50 cup	40.6	0.15	8	3.3	good
Corn	1 each	73.9	0.13	7	1.6	good
Eggplant	1 cup	34.6	0.11	6	2.9	good
Bell Peppers	1 cup	28.5	0.10	5	3.2	good
Peppermint	2 TBS	5.3	0.09	5	15.2	good
Soy Sauce	1 TBS	10.8	0.09	5	7.5	good
Chili Peppers	2 tsp	15.2	0.09	5	5.3	good
Cucumber	1 cup	15.6	0.08	4	4.6	good
Thyme	2 TBS	4.8	0.08	4	14.8	good
Kiwifruit	1 2 inches	42.1	0.07	4	1.5	good
Figs	1 medium	37.0	0.06	3	1.5	good
Dill	0.50 cup	1.9	0.06	3	28.3	good
Parsley	0.50 cup	10.9	0.05	3	4.1	good

Side effects & concerns of manganese

Manganese is mostly safe if taken in amounts up to 11 mg per day. However, people who have issues getting rid of manganese from the body, like the ones with liver disease, may experience some side effects if they take less than 11 mg per day. Taking more than 11 mg per day by popping through mouth could be risky for some adults. Some of the effects have been discussed below:

Neurological Side Effects

Manganese, when consumed in excessive amounts, can lead to serious neurological side effects, like muscle tremor, which resemble the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (Mena et al, 1967). Other side effects include rigidity of muscles, leg cramps, hallucinations, loss of balance or coordination, and difficulty starting or completing movements, a condition known as bradykinesia. These side effects are followed by mild conditions like tiredness or fatigue, speech issues, stooped posture, swallowing problems and sexual dysfunction. The Linus Pauling Institute reported that children exposed to high levels of manganese suffer negative effects on brain function and behavior (Bouchard et al, 2011).

Allergic Reaction

Some people experience an allergic reaction when exposed to higher concentrations of manganese. The symptoms include itching, hives or rashes. Severe reactions can result in inflammation of the face, throat, lips and tongue, which can cause difficulty in breathing and lead to wheezing and coughing.

Interactions with medications

Manganese has a potential to interact with some of the medicines you might be taking, for example, some antacids, antibiotics, laxatives, or reserpine (blood pressure lowering medication). The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the above-mentioned drugs could obstruct the absorption of manganese.

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Additional Cautions

People having cirrhosis of the liver, as well as children suffering from congenital venous anomaly called portosystemic shunt, are at a very high risk of health deficits from exposure to dietary and environmental sources of manganese. Manganese is commonly eliminated from the body through bile, but cirrhosis and portosystemic shunts alters the normal functioning of the liver and thus limit the potential of the body to excrete manganese, which then can get stored in the blood and, ultimately, the brain. As a result, people with liver disorders may experience certain side effects after consuming manganese dosage smaller than 11 grams per day. People having anemia as a result of iron deficiency absorb more manganese from food than healthy people, meaning they could also suffer from certain side effects due to a low dosage of manganese. People who work in steel mills or mines, regularly inhale manganese vapors and suffer from manganese toxicity called manganism. High doses of manganese also causes impaired thiamine (B1) metabolism. Excessive manganese can also result in increased demand for vitamin C and copper (Mena, 1974).

Nutrition that is given intravenously (by IV). People who get nutrition intravenously (by IV) are at a higher risk of side effects due to exposure to manganese.

Natural ways to add more manganese into your diet

The below-given recipes are rich in manganese content.

1. Toasted Oat Muesli: Oats, nuts, seeds and wheat germ combine to make a manganese rich muesli.
2. Tropical fruit salad on bitter and sweet lettuce: It includes pineapple, maple syrup, quinoa and chickpea in this refreshing salad. All these ingredients are rich in manganese.
3. Asparagus with pine nuts: Brown rice, spinach and pine nuts boost the rice pilaf’s manganese content even more.
4. Curried beef with pineapple, coconut and brown basmati rice: Tropical and yummy, these entrée dish helps to boost the manganese intake while binging on beef or snapper.
5. Pineapple Crumble: Wheat germ is a source of more manganese to this tasty crumble. Another dessert could be Raspberry-laced brownies or rich creamy brown rice pudding.

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References

• Bouchard, M. F., Sauvé, S., Barbeau, B., Legrand, M., Brodeur, M. È., Bouffard, T.,& Mergler, D. (2011). Intellectual impairment in school-age children exposed to manganese from drinking water. Environmental health perspectives, 119(1), 138.
• Emsley, J. (2011). Nature’s building blocks: an AZ guide to the elements. Oxford University Press.
• Epperly, M., Bray, J., Kraeger, S., Zwacka, R., Engelhardt, J., Travis, E., & Greenberger, J. (1998). Prevention of late effects of irradiation lung damage by manganese superoxide dismutase gene therapy. Gene Therapy, 5(2), 196-208.
• Finley, J. W., & Davis, C. D. (1999). Manganese deficiency and toxicity: are high or low dietary amounts of manganese cause for concern? Biofactors, 10(1), 15-24.
• Haydock, D. A., & Hill, G. L. (1987). Improved wound healing response in surgical patients receiving intravenous nutrition. British Journal of Surgery, 74(4), 320-323.
• Kiefer, D. (2006). Superoxide Dismutase Boosting the Body’s Primary Antioxidant Defense. Life Extension Magazine.
• Lee, S. H., Jouihan, H. A., Cooksey, R. C., Jones, D., Kim, H. J., Winge, D. R., & McClain, D. A. (2013). Manganese supplementation protects against diet-induced diabetes in wild type mice by enhancing insulin secretion. Endocrinology, 154(3), 1029-1038.
• Mateljan, G. (2007). The World’s Healthiest Foods: Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating. GMF Publishing.
• Mena, I., Marin, O., Fuenzalida, S., & Cotzias, G. C. (1967). Chronic manganese poisoning Clinical picture and manganese turnover. Neurology, 17(2), 128-128.
• Mena, I. S. M. A. E. L. (1974). The role of manganese in human disease. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science, 4(6), 487-491.
• Penland, J. G., & Johnson, P. E. (1993). Dietary calcium and manganese effects on menstrual cycle symptoms. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 168(5), 1417-1423.
• Rico, H. (1991). Minerals and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis International, 2(1), 20-25.
• Rhode, B. M., & MacLean, L. D. (2000). Vitamin and mineral supplementation after gastric bypass. UP DATE: surgery for the morbidly obese patient. Toronto: FD Communications, 161-70.
• Takeda, A. (2003). Manganese action in brain function. Brain Research Reviews, 41(1), 79-87.
• Titus, R. W., Cave, H. W., & Hughes, J. S. (1928). The manganese-copper-iron complex as a factor in hemoglobin building. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 80(2), 565-570.
• Trumbo, P., Yates, A. A., Schlicker, S., & Poos, M. (2001). Dietary reference intakes: vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 101(3), 294-301.
• Ulene, A. (1999). Dr. Art Ulene’s Complete Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs. Avery Publishing Group.