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Manganese: Health Benefits & Foods
Manganese is an essential mineral that supports the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase. It is also important for activating enzymes.
What is Manganese?
Manganese is a mineral that is only needed in small amounts in the body. It supports the activity of superoxide dismutase, which primarily resides in the mitochondria of cells. It’s vital for the energy and production of cells.
Cells can be prone to oxidative damage much like vehicles can be prone to rust. Superoxide dismutase and other antioxidants protect cells from being damaged by this oxidative reactivity.
Manganese is primarily stored in the bones (like calcium), but may also be found in the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and brain.
Health Benefits of Manganese
- Supports antioxidant activity in cells and defends against oxidative damage
- Activates enzymes
- Promotes healthy bones and skeletal strength
- Supports healthy cartilage
- Supports enzymes that promote normal metabolism of carbohydrates, cholesterol, and amino acids
- Supports gluconeogenesis (a metabolic pathway for producing energy in the body that is not directly derived from carbohydrates or glucose)
- Promotes normal wound healing
- Supports reproductive health
- Reduces the presence of excitotoxins in the brain
- Works with vitamin K to promote normal blood clotting
Food Sources of Manganese
Manganese is found in many foods, including:
- Mussels
- Hazelnuts
- Pecans
- Brown rice
- Chickpeas
- Spinach
- Oysters
- Pineapple
Manganese Supplements
Manganese is rarely supplemented on its own but is often found in multivitamins or in bone-support supplements.
Most people get enough manganese, although it’s not always tested, so low levels may not always be discovered. Still, direct symptoms of insufficient manganese, like poor bone growth or skeletal defects, are rarely noted unless there are other underlying conditions. Low manganese may contribute to reduced fertility or impaired glucose tolerance, but these are typically associated with other conditions or deficiencies, too, and not just manganese alone.
People who may be most at risk for low levels of manganese include:
- Those who require total parenteral nutrition
- People who are malnourished
- Those who have diabetes
- Those who have osteoporosis or other bone-related complications
True manganese deficiency is extremely rare.
Today’s Simple Step
Nuts and seeds offer many dietary benefits, especially if they are first soaked to remove antinutrients. You can easily do this by submerging raw nuts in warm filtered water and letting them soak for 8-24 hours. Rinse and then lay flat on a baking sheet. Bake at the lowest possible oven temperature (or use a food dehydrator) to remove all moisture, and then store in a sealed container.
Today’s Recipe
It’s possible to include manganese-rich foods throughout your day without needing to heavily incorporate them into any one meal. This Winter Salad with Cranberries and Pears, for example, uses pecans as one of the salad toppers, leading to a nutrient-dense dish that provides many vitamins and minerals—including manganese.