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/
apartment cleaning near Highland Park ..During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
For decades science has been looking for the answers to... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More
I don't understand people sometimes. You know, there is a... Read More
Did you know that much of our dry skin comes... Read More
Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
Most of us eat at restaurants for a variety of... Read More
The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More
The confusion about eating healthy and dieting will now be... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
Unhealthy eating is a harmful problem in America, and contrary... Read More
The Health and Nutrition Industry has come about as peoples... Read More
What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on... Read More
Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More
Although many realize that the liver has its own cleansing... Read More
These are questions we have to ask ourselves? because after... Read More
It is not a myth. Eating breakfast is an important... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
cleaning lady near Arlington Heights ..Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and... Read More
I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on... Read More
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More
According to the National Institute of Health, Magnesium is needed... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More
Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More
You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's... Read More
We know we need to eat a minimum of 5... Read More
Every day we are bombarded with information about food products... Read More
The wonders of modern science continue to amaze us with... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
Some people say to themselves, junk food is not that... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
Having a large amount of such "visceral fat" is associated... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
Nutrition |