Manganese SA pack of 60 capsules

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Manganese is an essential trace mineral, needed in small amounts by the body. It is a cofactor in many enzymes such as arginase, glutamine synthetase, phosphoenolpyruvate decarboxylase, pyruvate carboxylase, and manganese superoxide dismutase ⁽¹⁾. These are all very important enzymes in the body and are heavily involved with metabolic processes and help with the formation of bone ⁽²⁾. In addition to vitamin K, research suggests that manganese may also play a role in the blood clotting process ⁽⁵⁾.

Manganese is absorbed in the small intestine however absorption rates of dietary manganese are low ⁽²⁾. That which is absorbed is concentrated in the mitochondria of the pituitary gland, pancreas, liver, kidney, and bone. 90% of this absorbed manganese is excreted into the gut via bile and a little in the urine ⁽⁶⁾.

Whilst rare, insufficient intake of manganese has been shown to have a variety of health implications. Studies suggest that bone deterioration, lower fertility rates and changes to protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism can all be linked to prolonged manganese deficiency ⁽⁷⁾. Similarly, certain health conditions such as epilepsy, osteoporosis, arthritis, premenstrual syndrome, and diabetes are associated with low manganese levels ⁽⁸⁾.

Bone Health-

Manganese is an essential part of the construction of bone, cartilage, and collagen. It is particularly important for post-menopausal women and others at increased risk of osteoporosis ⁽⁹⁾. Many studies have found that women with osteoporosis tend to have lower levels of serum manganese than those without the disease ⁽¹⁰⁾. Furthermore, manganese may help reduce spinal bone loss in older women when combined with calcium, zinc, and copper ⁽¹¹⁾. This highlights the fact that manganese plays a crucial role in the synthesis of cartilage and bone collagen and is thereby essential in maintaining bone health.

Diabetes-

Manganese helps to regulate blood sugar levels, making it an essential mineral for people with diabetes. It helps to activate the hexokinase enzyme that causes an increase of glucose in the cells and so deficiency may result in hypoglycaemic episodes. Researchers have found that people who consume higher amounts of manganese have a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes ^{(12, 13, 14)}. This suggests that manganese is involved in the production of insulin and can have a positive effect in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Strong antioxidant-

Manganese is essential for superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that is potentially one of the most important antioxidants in your body ⁽¹⁵⁾. This is because it helps convert free radicals into smaller molecules, preventing cellular damage and fighting oxidative stress ⁽¹⁶⁾. This emphasises the role manganese can play in ageing, cancer and other health conditions caused by excess free radicals in the body ⁽¹⁷⁾.

Below is a list of enzymes that use manganese as a cofactor:

Superoxide dismutase (SOD)- known as SOD2 Superoxide dismutase 2, mitochondrial (SOD2), also known as manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) ⁽¹⁸⁾.

Acetylcholineesterase- a cholinergic enzyme primarily found at postsynaptic neuromuscular junctions ⁽¹⁹⁾.

Arginase- a manganese metalloenzyme that catalyses the conversion of L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea ⁽²⁰⁾.

CDP-Diacylglycerolinositol transferase- catalyses the biosynthesis of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) as well as PtdIns:inositol exchange reaction ⁽²¹⁾. 

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase- a key regulatory enzyme in the mevalonate pathway ⁽²²⁾.

Glycosyltransferase- catalyse the formation of the glycosidic linkage to form a glycoside ⁽²³⁾.

Glyoxylate carboligase- catalyses the ligation of two molecules of glyoxylate to form tartronate semialdehyde (TSA) and carbon dioxide ⁽²⁴⁾.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase- play important roles in cellular metabolism ⁽²⁵⁾. 

Malic enzyme- catalyses the reversible oxidative decarboxylation of malate to pyruvate ⁽²⁶⁾.

Pyruvate carboxylase­­- converts pyruvate to oxaloacetate in the TCA cycle and is needed for gluconeogenesis.

Serine transhydroxymethylase­– helps convert glycine into serine.

6-Phosphogluonate dehydrogenase- produces NADPH by converting 6-phospho D-gluconolactone to D-ribulose 5-phosphate in the pentose phosphate pathways (PPP) ⁽²⁷⁾.

It is important to note that excess levels of manganese in the body can be harmful and cause toxicity. To date, no evidence suggests manganese toxicity from excess dietary intake however manganese toxicity can occur in people who are exposed to high amounts of manganese through their work, such as welders and miners. Similarly, manganese toxicity can occur in people who drink water contaminated with too much manganese ⁽⁶⁾. These individuals should consult their healthcare practitioner before taking supplements to avoid manganism ⁽²⁸⁾.