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/
no-contract cleaning service Des Plaines ..Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the... Read More
OmegaRx Fish Oil, quoted as being close to a Medical... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse... Read More
The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More
It seems as if the health of America is failing.... Read More
We know we need to eat a minimum of 5... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal... Read More
I'm willing to bet you probably haven't heard the word... Read More
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, and quite normal fat gain often... Read More
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992,... Read More
I start from the premise that eating instinctively means eating... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Lake Forest ..What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
Secretly we all want just a few things in life,... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens... Read More
How did we cure ourselves of many aches pains and... Read More
I'm sure by now you've heard all about the amazing... Read More
America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More
Most people understand that it is wise to limit the... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Health food or heart attack on a plate? Eggs had... Read More
In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
New studies bring to our attention that high levels of... Read More
What is the best protein powder to buy? I get... Read More
Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to:... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
Nutrition |