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/
family-safe home cleaners Morton Grove ..Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn't even spell fibromyalgia.Now she... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
How many times have you tried to diet/lose weight in... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
The word 'homeostasis' is made up of two Greek words:... Read More
In parts 1-6 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home... Read More
Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in... Read More
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More
People who consume too much alcohol have good chance of... Read More
The egg, the symbol of birth, of life and, therefore,... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
I'm willing to bet you probably haven't heard the word... Read More
Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
In order to eat fewer calories than you need, you... Read More
Studies on whey demonstrate it's an even better protein supplement... Read More
The nutritional support in critically ill patients can be explained... Read More
Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or... Read More
home cleaning services Wilmette ..1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
Meal sizes and frequency are very important. Over the years... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care... Read More
Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
The topic of nutrition is one that is always present... Read More
People are obsessed with dieting and weight loss! Don't believe... Read More
We all need fat in our diet on a daily... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
Mineral nutritionSearching for mineral nutrition information is much easier today... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
As any student of chemistry will assure you, acids and... Read More
If you are like most people, you are probably confused... Read More
Having spent most of my life living off of junk... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
In parts 1-6 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
Nutrition |