Manganese as a therapeutic supplement
Manganese is a trace mineral vital for various bodily functions and has been explored as a therapeutic supplement for specific health conditions. It is known to play a critical role in the body's antioxidant defense system, particularly as a component of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which combats oxidative stress. Proposed therapeutic uses of manganese include addressing dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), osteoporosis, diabetes, muscle sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, and promoting wound healing, although scientific evidence supporting these applications varies in strength.
Dietary sources rich in manganese include whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and various fruits and vegetables. Recommended daily intake levels vary by age and gender, with higher allowances for pregnant and nursing women. While manganese is generally considered safe at recommended doses, excessive intake can lead to toxicity, with serious health implications like manganese madness. It’s important to approach manganese supplementation with care, particularly for individuals taking other minerals or medications that may interact with manganese absorption or efficacy.
Manganese as a therapeutic supplement
DEFINITION: Natural substance of the human body used as a supplement to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Dysmenorrhea, osteoporosis
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Diabetes, epilepsy, muscle sprains and strains, rheumatoid arthritis, tardive dyskinesia, bone health, antioxidant, blood sugar regulation, wounds
Overview
The human body contains only a very small amount of manganese, but this metal is important as a constituent of many key enzymes. The chemical structure of these enzymes is interesting—large protein molecules cluster around a tiny atom of metal.
Manganese plays a particularly important role as part of the natural antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps fight damaging free radicals. It also helps energy metabolism, thyroid function, blood sugar control, and normal skeletal growth.
Requirements and Sources
The official US recommendations for daily manganese intake are as follows: 0.003 mg for infants up to six months of age, 0.6 mg for infants seven to twelve months old, 1.2 mg for children one to three years old, 1.5 mg for children four to eight years old, 1.9 mg for males nine to thirteen years old, 2.2 mg for males fourteen to eighteen years old, 1.6 mg for females nine to eighteen years old, 2.3 mg for males nineteen years of age and older, and 1.8 mg for females nineteen years of age and older. The recommendation for pregnant women is 2 mg, and for nursing women, 2.6 mg. The absorption of manganese may be impaired by simultaneous intake of antacids or calcium or iron supplements.
Whole grains, legumes, avocados, grape juice, chocolate, seaweed, egg yolks, nuts, seeds, boysenberries, blueberries, pineapples, spinach, collard greens, peas, and green vegetables are the best sources of dietary manganese.
Therapeutic Dosages
A typical dosage used in studies on manganese is 3 to 6 mg daily. It is sometimes recommended at a much higher dose of 50 to 200 mg daily for two weeks following a muscle sprain or strain, but this dosage exceeds recommended safe intake levels. Manganese may also be ingested through nuts, brown rice, oatmeal, black tea, spinach, pineapple, and shellfish.
Therapeutic Uses
Because manganese plays a role in bone metabolism, it has been suggested to treat osteoporosis, a condition in which bone mass deteriorates with age. However, there is no direct evidence that manganese is helpful, except perhaps in combination with other minerals. Small studies conducted in the 1990s indicated manganese may benefit bone health, but more studies are needed. Manganese has also been suggested for treating muscle strains and sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, and tardive dyskinesia, but no reliable evidence indicates that it actually helps.
One small but rigorous study suggests that getting enough manganese may help control symptoms of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain). People with epilepsy or diabetes have lower-than-normal levels of manganese in their blood. This suggests (but definitely does not prove) that manganese supplements might be useful for these conditions. However, studies that could prove or disprove this idea have not been performed.
Other proposed therapeutic uses for manganese include regulating blood sugar levels to help improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, which may be helpful for diabetes patients. Because manganese is involved in the production of collagen, it may help promote wound healing. Finally, manganese contains antioxidants, which may protect against free radicals that can lead to chronic health conditions.
Scientific Evidence
Osteoporosis. Although manganese is known to play a role in bone metabolism, there is no direct evidence that manganese supplements can help prevent osteoporosis. However, one double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggests that a combination of minerals, including manganese, may be helpful. Fifty-nine women took either a placebo, calcium (1,000 mg daily), or calcium plus a daily mineral supplement consisting of 5 mg of manganese, 15 mg of zinc, and 2.5 mg of copper. After two years, the group receiving calcium plus minerals showed better bone density than those receiving calcium alone. However, this study does not reveal whether it was the manganese or the other minerals that made the difference.
Dysmenorrhea One very small but well-designed and carefully conducted double-blind study suggested that 5.6 mg of manganese daily might ease menstrual discomfort. In the same study, a lower dosage of 1 mg daily was not effective.
Safety Issues
Manganese is considered safe when taken by adults at a dose of 11 mg daily or less. The maximum safe dosage of manganese for pregnant or nursing women has also been established as 11 mg daily, or 9 mg if the woman is eighteen years old or younger.
Very high exposure to manganese (due either to environmental pollution or manganese mining) has resulted in a serious psychiatric disorder known as manganese madness. Prolonged exposure to or excess intake of manganese can be toxic.
Important Interactions
Persons taking iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, or calcium may need extra manganese; those taking manganese may need extra iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. Those taking antacids may also need extra manganese.
Bibliography
Evans, Garret. "Manganese Toxicity - StatPearls." NCBI, 10 July 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560903. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
"Manganese." Harvard School of Public Health, Mar. 2023, www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/manganese. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
"Manganese." National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, 29 Mar. 2021, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Manganese-HealthProfessional. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Strause, L., et al. "Spinal Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women Supplemented with Calcium and Trace Minerals." Journal of Nutrition, vol. 124, 1994, pp. 1060-1064.