Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a 17th century German chemist named Johann Glauber, though it was not isolated in a pure form until 1774, by Johan Gahn. It was Gahn's associate, a Swedish chemist, Carl Scheele, who first determined that manganese was an element. Manganese, as a trace mineral element, is found in all forms of life. It is essential to the health and functioning of the human body and mind in many ways.
In terms of physical health, the mineral manganese is important to almost all of the body's major systems. It works in the digestive system which is responsible for breaking down foods through digestion and transforming them into a form that the body can use. The primary function of manganese in the digestive system is acting as a cofactor in many of the enzymes responsible for releasing the energy in food making it accessible to both body and mind to fuel the essential and nonessential functions. This essential mineral is also needed to metabolize Thiamin Vitamin B1. The skeletal system requires manganese for the building of strong and healthy bones. Without it, the skeleton may not develop properly. Manganese also supports good muscular reflexes. It also serves the reproductive system having an important role in the production of sex hormones and sperm.
Manganese has vital antioxidant properties working as a cofactor in the production of the body's most important antioxidant enzyme: the superoxide dismutase. Antioxidants perform a task that is essential to the body. It controls or stabilizes free radicals which are responsible for a great deal of damage within the body. Free radicals are destabilized by their lack of an electron and in seeking to stabilize themselves they assault other molecules in an effort to take what they need from them which then results in those molecules becoming destabilized as well. Accumulation of free radicals is dangerous for if it reaches a certain number cellular damage can occur thus leading to tissue damage. And as the free radicals roam, their population also up in number.
Manganese is also essential for the brain to function properly. It supports the nerves and also promotes memory and emotional stability. Researchers are studying the relationship between epilepsy and other seizure disorders and the influence manganese levels may have on seizure activity and severity. This mineral is also being investigated for its potentials in the treatment of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia. If proven positive, this could be a big breakthrough is the field of medical science.
Deficiencies in manganese can contribute to convulsions, confusion, tremors, dizziness, paralysis, deafness and blindness in infants, adult hearing loss, digestive disorders, ataxia, bone malformation, general weakness, infertility, irregular pulse, and pancreatic damage.
Nutritional supplements offer a reliable and safe means of seeing to it that the diet contains adequate amounts of this essential trace mineral provided supplement dosage remains within the standard recommended daily intake levels. Too much of any nutrient can do physical harm to the body and thus it is important to be knowledgeable about the nutritional needs of your body and the supplement you are considering for use. It is therefore important to consult a doctor to avoid over dosage. Consultation with a licensed nutritionalist is also essential to aid you in planning a daily diet that can supplement the much needed healthy daily dosage of manganese
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/
housekeepers near Des Plaines ..Nutrition facts have become a part of everyday life because... Read More
What I am also going to point out is the... Read More
The Immune System is probably the most important system in... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming... Read More
Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
If you have high cholesterol, the American Heart Association's low-cholesterol,... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of... Read More
Most people understand that it is wise to limit the... Read More
The nutritional support in critically ill patients can be explained... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
Biological clockObviously you need biological clock to time and alarm... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
custom home cleaning Glenview ..Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Do you need omega 3 fatty acid in your diet?... Read More
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
Finding simple ways to reduce my waistline is always a... Read More
The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
Constipation is a condition whereby the fecal matter traveling through... Read More
Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what... Read More
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Health food or heart attack on a plate? Eggs had... Read More
Could it be possible that our beloved chocolate may actually... Read More
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
People who consume too much alcohol have good chance of... Read More
"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
It is not a myth. Eating breakfast is an important... Read More
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
Nutrition |