The Health Benefits of Manganese
No, I’m not doing the same mineral twice: this is m-a-n-g-a-n-e-s-e, it looks like magnesium, but it’s completely different, they are just two different minerals but with similar names (How confusing – Beeble.)
Manganese is important for growth and healthy bones, it is also involved in forming connective tissue in the body and helps in the production of collagen. Like magnesium, it helps with the absorption of calcium and it also helps the thyroid and sex hormones function effectively. It helps to regulate the blood sugar levels and is needed in the processing of fats and carbohydrates.
It is also a powerful antioxidant that searches out free radicals and neutralises them, helping to prevent disease. It is also important for the health of the brain and the nervous system and supports the immune system and the blood sugar balance.
Manganese deficiency
As the body needs only very little of this mineral and it is available in so many foods, manganese deficiency is not common. If manganese levels are seriously low wounds would not heal well as the body’s ability to create collagen would be reduced. Also memory could be affected and the sufferer might experience a lack of energy. It could also cause bone weakness, high cholesterol and heart disorders.
How much Manganese?
Infants
0-6 months – 0.003 mg
7-12 months – 0.6 mg
Children
1-3 years – 1.2 mg
4-8 years – 1.5 mg
Males
9-13 years – 1.9 mg
14-18 years – 2.2 mg
19+ years – 2.3 mg
Females
9-13 years – 1.6 mg
14-18 years – 1.6 mg
19+ years – 1.8 mg
What foods contain manganese?
It is present in a wide variety of foods including spinach (yes, that wonder veg again – Beeble) and other leafy vegetables, also broccoli, beans, carrots, peas, bran, whole grains, buckwheat, oatmeal, peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans, chestnuts and oranges. Normally it is not something that is required in the form of supplements as the body only needs a small amount and it is easily sourced as part of an average person’s healthy diet.
View the top 100 foods that contain Manganese
Take care…
Remember to check with your doctor first if you suffer from any of the above symptoms; they may be caused by something other than manganese deficiency which as I said is relatively rare.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
This is one type of mineral I’ve yet to hear of, but it seems I consume some of the right foods to get what I need. I could see many people confusing this mineral with magnesium as you stated. Thanks for informing us on this mineral as well.