Manganese

Roles of Manganese in your body

1. essential for energy production
2. involved in glucose tolerance
3. helps maintain the integrity of tendons and ligaments
4. essential for bone development

Functions of Manganese

• Nervous system - synthesis of neurotransmitters
• Reproductive system - fertility
• Endocrine system - required for normal adrenal and thyroid gland activity
• Skeletal - tendons, ligaments, connective tissue
• Metabolic - energy production, glucose tolerance, utilization of fats and carbohydrates,
• Detoxification - involved in superoxide dismutase

Deficiency Symptoms: allergies, diabetes, dizziness, fatigue, fractures or osteoporosis, hypoglycaemia, myasthenia gravis, ringing in the ears, weakness, muscular, weak ligaments and tendons.

Excess Symptoms: anorexia, ataxia, iron deficiency, neurological symptoms, schizophrenia.

Synergistic Nutrients: zinc, choline, vitamin K

Antagonistic Nutrients: Absorption - calcium, phosphorus, iron, soy protein, iron. Metabolic - copper, magnesium, iron, vanadium.

Hair Analysis Notes

Manganese is called the maternal mineral because manganese-deficient animals show reduced maternal caring for their young.

High Hair Manganese:

May be due to manganese toxicity derived from drinking water containing excessively high levels of manganese.

Low Hair Manganese:

Low hair manganese levels are extremely common. However, if the manganese level is below 30 it is considered very low. Low manganese usually correlates with slow oxidation and low energy levels.

Reasons for Manganese Supplementation

• To raise low sodium levels.
• To lower excessive iron, copper or other toxic metal levels.
• To correct a low sodium/potassium ratio.

Sources

Nuts/Seeds - sunflower, coconuts, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, chestnuts, almonds, brazil nuts Fruits - blueberries, olives, avocados, apples, pears
Vegetables - corn, corn germ, parsley, legumes, kale, lettuce, asparagus, kelp
Grains - wheat, wheat germ and bran, rice, barley, oats, buckwheat, rye
Miscellaneous - kelp, cloves, tea

The Effects of Manganese on Personality

Key words: maternal element, a feminine element, blood sugar regulator

Low Manganese: fatigue, lethargic, reduced maternal behavior in animal experiments

High Manganese: rigid, schizophrenia, other mental difficulties

Interaction Chart