Manganese supplements are taken to increase levels of the mineral in the body, although deficiency is rare. They are available without prescription and can be taken orally or by injection. Manganese plays a role in metabolism, bone growth, and disease resistance. Food sources include cereals, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Excessive intake can lead to toxicity.
Manganese supplements are taken to increase manganese levels taken through dietary sources, either to promote general good health or to address any of a number of specific conditions or health concerns. Easily available without a prescription, manganese supplements can be purchased as stand-alone supplements or as multivitamins. They are most often taken orally in tablet or capsule form, but injectable forms of manganese supplements are also available and can be taken with the help of a medical professional.
Although manganese is present in many foods and deficiency is very rare, many people take manganese supplements to increase manganese levels. Some take manganese supplements in an attempt to increase energy, reduce weight, or stimulate antioxidant activity. Supplements have also been recommended to treat a wide range of conditions, including baldness, confusion, dermatitis, arthritis, and osteoporosis, although there is no medical evidence to support any of these proposed treatments.
Normally present in the body at trace levels, manganese is an important mineral for good health. Approximately 20 milligrams (mg) of manganese is typically present in the human body, with the highest concentrations found in the pancreas, liver, kidney, and bone. It plays a role in metabolism and has an effect on blood sugar levels and the body’s use of fats and carbohydrates. Manganese also affects the growth and formation of bone and connective tissue, as well as the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Other manganese-dependent processes include disease resistance, thyroid function, and muscle injury recovery.
Food sources for manganese include cereals, whole grains, dried fruit, peas, dried beans, and green leafy vegetables. Only trace levels of the mineral are required for good health, so there is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Health professionals generally agree that 2 to 5 mg is sufficient for most adults.
There have been no reported cases of manganese deficiency in humans, although some speculate that the mineral levels could contribute to a number of medical conditions. However, effects of manganese deficiency have been observed in some animals, and symptoms include impaired or inadequate growth, inadequate skeletal formation, reduced glucose tolerance, reproductive dysfunction, muscular disorders, and an impaired ability to metabolize carbohydrates. Animals deficient in minerals were also found to be more susceptible to epilepsy and diabetes.
At higher doses, toxicity becomes a concern. Although dangerous levels are most often inhaled as dust, most experts agree that manganese supplements should not be taken in excess of 11 mg per day. Over time, excessive levels of the mineral could lead to a condition similar to Parkinson’s disease.
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