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/
detailed home cleaning Park Ridge ..A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal... Read More
The Omega Zone Diet and specialists' opinion"Omega RX Zone -... Read More
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news,... Read More
The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
The Immune System is probably the most important system in... Read More
THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More
Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree... Read More
East Meets WestAsian cultures have realized the medical benefits of... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in... Read More
White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More
Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to:... Read More
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat when you... Read More
I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More
Creating Your Target is easy.What I use to help create... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
The cry of "I have no willpower!" often emerges from... Read More
While there are many effective ways to get more energy... Read More
express cleaning service Des Plaines ..You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More
What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
DIETARY SOURCES OF GLUTATHIONE: Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant and... Read More
Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
Secretly we all want just a few things in life,... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
Your healthOrganically grown fruit and vegetables are not covered in... Read More
How did we cure ourselves of many aches pains and... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
My name is Mildred Shears. I'm retired and I live... Read More
THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial... Read More
The natural antioxidants in Oat Bran can significantly reduce blood... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
I know you've heard this many times - "Drink more... Read More
What Ever Happened to the Basic FourThe USDA was originally... Read More
How often do you pick up items at the grocery... Read More
The benefits from eating healthy are endless. And, according to... Read More
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More
Summer is not too far away. It is almost time... Read More
Nutrition |