Manganese
DESCRIPTION:
Manganese is derived mainly from
vegetable matter for the essential processes of growth and
reproduction.
Manganese is an important trace
mineral whose functions include:
- The development and
maintenance of healthy bones.
- The synthesis of
mucopoly-saccharides that surround and protect cells and
lubricate joints.
- Sex hormones synthesis.
- Nerve development and
function.
- Stimulation of glycogen
formation in the liver.
- Activation of natural killer
cells.
Manganese is also a component of the
antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (S.O.D.).
Deficiency of manganese has only
been observed in experimental studies, and U.K. diets are
therefore thought to be rich enough in this mineral at least to
prevent acute deficiency symptoms.
Upper safe level for daily
supplementation = 15mg
There is no EC Recommended Daily
Allowance for Manganese.
Average daily dietary intakes in
Britain are estimated at 4.6mg.
The use of manganese as a therapy is
not common as it is not generally acknowledged that manganese
deficiency can arise under normal conditions. Nevertheless, it
may benefit people with joint or bone problems by suppressing
the inflammatory process (1).
Manganese may be used for diseases
in which a stimulation of natural killer cells and similar
immune responses are required. Manganese exerts its effects by a
mechanism dependant upon the adhesion of leucocytes (white blood
cells) to antigens (2).
Manganese is one of the safest of
all elements, because when excess is consumed, absorption is
very low, and that which is absorbed is excreted efficiently via
the bile and kidneys. Toxicity of manganese has only been noted
in miners exposed to manganese ores and continually absorbing
dust through the lungs.
INTERACTIONS
AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
There is no known drug interactions
or contra-indications for manganese.
Food (mg/100g)
Bread, wholemeal 4.3
Wheatgerm 4.2
Avocados 3.7
Chestnuts 3.7
Hazelnuts 3.5
Peas 2.0
Almonds 1.9
Tea (1 cup) 1.5
Coconut 1.3
Pineapple 1.1
Plums 1.0
Lettuce 0.7
Bananas 0.6
Beetroot 0.6
Watercress 0.5
Carrots 0.25
Tea is estimated to supply half the
amount of manganese in the British diet. Otherwise, whole
grains, nuts and avocados are rich sources, with other fruits
and vegetables containing moderate amounts. The milling of
grains removes 73% of manganese.
REFERENCES:
1. Dowling EJ. Assessment of a human
recombinant manganese superoxide dismutase in models of
Inflammation. Free Radic Res Commun, 18;5:291-298, 1993.
2. Jackson AM et al. Control of leucocyte function-associated
antigen-1-dependent cellular conjugation by divalent cations.
Immunology, 81;1:120-126, 1994,.
