Health benefits of manganese ensure healthy bone structure, bone metabolism, helping in building essential enzymes for building bones. It acts as a co-enzyme to assist metabolic progression in the human body. Apart from these, there are other health benefits of manganese actively involved in forming connective tissues, absorption of calcium, proper functioning of thyroid, sex hormones, regulating blood sugar level, and metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
Manganese is a mineral form, found in our human body in very minimal amount. Manganese is an actual component of manganese super oxide dismutase enzyme. It is a powerful antioxidant that searches the free radicals in human body and manages to neutralize these damaging particles and prevent any potential danger they may cause. The body may contain at the most 20 mg of manganese concentrated in our kidneys, pancreas, liver and most importantly in our bones. Manganese is very important for normal functioning of the brain and nerve areas of our body.
Deficiency Symptoms: The deficiency symptoms of manganese include high blood pressure, heart ailments, muscular contraction, bone malformation, high cholesterol, poor eyesight, hearing trouble, severe memory loss, shivers and tremors, etc. Even though medical experts argue that manganese deficiency is quite a rarity, more than 35 % of the world population is said to be deficient. Poor dietary habits may be the leading cause.
In some cases, calcium and iron minerals are said to interfere with appropriate exploitation of manganese in human system. Eye problems, sweating, fast heartbeats, weakness, severe cramps may be some of the deficient symptoms. Severe deficiency may cause infertility in women, pancreas damage, heart ailments and osteoporosis.
Important Sources: The most important sources of manganese, rich in this mineral, include names like raspberries, pineapple, garlic, grapes, beetroot, green beans, rice, peppermint, oats, nuts, watercress, mustard greens, strawberries, blackberries, tropical fruits, lettuce, spinach, molasses, cloves, turmeric, leeks, tofu, whole wheat, banana, cucumber, kiwifruit, figs and carrots. The best sources of naturally abundant manganese trace mineral like green veggies, brown rice, coconuts, almonds, hazelnuts, etc are excellent absorption helpers.
Benefits: The health benefits of manganese are tilted towards overall wellness of human beings. Here is the list of most significant of these benefits:
- Healthy bones: Manganese is very essential for proper and normal growth of human bone structure. It is a very effective mineral, which aids in increasing the mineral density of spinal bone, especially so in case of post menopausal women. Most women after post menopause suffer from manganese deficiency.
- Free radicals: Due to antioxidant properties of manganese, the health benefits of manganese include a special function of controlling the flow of free radicals in human body. These radicals are capable of damaging human cells and thus, manganese control these radicals to prevent any type of damage.
- Sugar level: Manganese has also exhibited its efficiency in controlling the level of sugar in human blood. This may further prevent the occurrence of certain diseases like diabetes.
- Epilepsy: Low level of manganese can act as a trigger for epileptic seizures. Manganese supplements can aid in controlling the possibility of any minor or major epilepsy seizure.
- Metabolism: Metabolism happens to be one of the vital functions of manganese. Manganese activated enzymes help in metabolism of cholesterol, amino acids as well as carbohydrates. It is also important for the metabolism of Vitamins such as Vitamin E and Vitamin B-1.
- Inflammation and sprains: Manganese is a widely known remedy for sprains as well as inflammation as it helps in increasing the level of superoxide dismutase resulting in the activity as an antioxidant.
- Preventing osteoporosis: Manganese supplements are known to relive osteoporosis and osteoarthritis syndrome.
- Alleviating PMS syndrome: Women are found to suffer from premenstrual syndrome. In such situations, manganese helps to alleviate the mood swings, headaches, depression and irritability to a considerable extent.
- Aids in vitamin absorption: Manganese helps absorb vital vitamins like vitamin B and E and minerals like magnesium.
- Brain and nervous system: Manganese is essential for healthy functioning of the brain and it is also used to treat specific nervous disorders.
- Glucose Metabolism: Manganese also aids in glucose metabolism in human body. This is one of the most important health benefits of manganese to provide proper resources to different body parts.
- Digestive track: Manganese is a mineral, which is helpful in maintaining the functioning of digestive track. This further improves the absorption of fat in the process of digestion.