Manganese and Liquid Vitamins

Deriving from the Greek word for magic, this name remains appropriate because scientists are still working to understand the diverse effects of any deficiencies of this nutrient as well as possible toxicity in living organisms.

This nutrient plays an important role in a number of physiologic processes as a constituent of some enzymes and an activator of other enzymes. Super oxide dismutase of this nutrient is the principle antioxidant enzyme in the mitochondria.

Because mitochondria consume over 90% of the oxygen used by our cells, they are especially vulnerable to oxidative stress.

This nutrient also activates a number of enzymes that play important roles in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol.

The fact that liquid vitamins and minerals absorbs so richly into our bodies but at the same time distributes nutrients in the correct amounts, makes them extremely effective with this nutrient.

"Wound healing" is a complex process that requires production of collagen.

This nutrient is required for the activation of prolidase, which is an enzyme that functions to provide the amino acid, proline, for collagen formulation in human skin cells,

"Prolidase deficiency" is a generic disorder that results in abnormal wound healing among other problems, and is characterized by abnormal metabolism of this nutrient. Signs of a deficiency of this nutrient include impaired growth, impaired reproduction function, skeletal abnormalities, impaired glucose tolerance, and altered carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

In humans, demonstration of a deficiency syndrome has been less clear.

Some children on long term parenteral nutrition, (TPN) lacking this nutrient have developed bone demineralization and impaired growth that were corrected by supplementation of this nutrient.

Young men who were fed a low diet of this nutrient developed decreased serum cholesterol levels and transient skin rash.

Blood calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline levels were also elevated, which may indicate increased bone remodeling as a consequence of insufficient dietary manganese.

In the U.S., estimated average intakes range from 1.2-2.3 mg/day for men and 1.6-1.8 mg/day for women.

Rich sources of this nutrient include whole grains, leafy vegetables, and tea.

Foods that contain rich sources of include pineapples (raw), pineapple juice, pecans, almonds, peanuts, instant oatmeal (prepared with water), raisin bran cereal, brown rice (cooked), whole wheat bread, pinto beans (cooked), lima beans and navy beans (both cooked), spinach and sweet potatoes (both cooked), tea (green) and tea (black).

Several forms of this nutrient are found in supplements, including manganese gluconate, sulfate, ascorbate, and amino acid chelates of manganese.

This nutrient is available as a stand-alone supplement or in combination products, and there are several very good brands of liquid vitamin and mineral supplements that can supply the correct amount of this nutrient.

Natural Sources for Manganese

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