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/
recurring cleaning service Wilmette ..Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
A beautiful smile and healthy mouth actually can come from... Read More
The Zone Diet has been around since around 1995, when... Read More
Health food or heart attack on a plate? Eggs had... Read More
The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the... Read More
Many of us sprinkle oregano on our pizza and stews... Read More
Dieting is a pain. I think basically everyone would agree... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Most of us eat at restaurants for a variety of... Read More
Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm... Read More
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
In health circles there has been much recent talk about... Read More
You are a mineral bodyEvery part of you is made... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
Recently yet another super-heavyweight Iron Immortal died from a heart... Read More
Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you... Read More
The egg, the symbol of birth, of life and, therefore,... Read More
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
reliable maid service Morton Grove ..Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of... Read More
For most people, the concept of capsulized food? usually conjures... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
When it comes to the topic of sports nutrition there... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
How many magazines have you read where they tell you... Read More
I'm going to be a bit radical here, but know... Read More
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree... Read More
In parts 1-4 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More
We come from a society where growing organic and just... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
You would probably think that I was writing a lot... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also... Read More
Protein is one of the basic building blocks of the... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad... Read More
Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for... Read More
If you do not take time to stand back at... Read More
"What exercises can I do to ?? As fitness professional... Read More
Many low carb dieters fall victim to "carb creep," which... Read More
Nutrition |