Manganese

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Other names for manganese

Manganese Citrate
Manganese Gluconate
Manganese Sulfate
Chelated Manganese

Synopsis of manganese

Manganese is a trace mineral and essential micronutrient required for a wide range of physiological processes. Though needed in small amounts, it plays an indispensable role in enzyme activation, bone formation, collagen synthesis, antioxidant defense, wound healing, and metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol. It is a critical cofactor for several enzymes, including manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)—a key antioxidant enzyme in mitochondria that protects cells from oxidative damage.

Manganese also supports bone health by aiding in the synthesis of proteoglycans essential to cartilage and bone matrix. It is necessary for optimal wound healing and connective tissue integrity, as it activates prolidase, an enzyme involved in collagen production. Additionally, manganese contributes to brain and nerve function and is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters like glutamate and dopamine.

Dietary sources include whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, leafy greens, and tea. Deficiency is rare but may occur in individuals with malabsorption disorders or highly processed diets. Symptoms of deficiency can include poor bone growth, joint pain, impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced fertility.

On the other hand, manganese toxicity (usually from inhalation or excessive supplementation) can lead to neurological symptoms resembling Parkinson’s disease—a condition known as manganism. Thus, while supplementation is beneficial in deficiency or specific therapeutic applications, it must be used cautiously.

In integrative and functional medicine, manganese may be used in mineral balancing protocols, joint support formulas, and antioxidant complexes, particularly where oxidative stress or connective tissue degradation is a concern. It is often paired with minerals like zinc, copper, and magnesium for synergistic effects.

Historical Use
Although manganese was not formally recognized as a distinct element until the late 18th century, its compounds—particularly manganese dioxide—were used as far back as Ancient Egypt and Greece. Egyptians used it in glassmaking to remove color impurities, while Greek and Roman metallurgists used manganese-rich minerals to improve iron hardness in steel production.

In Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, while elemental manganese wasn’t identified, manganese-rich herbal and mineral preparations were used for ailments such as fatigue, weakness, and joint degeneration. Traditional formulations sometimes included ash preparations (bhasmas) or mineral-rich clays that contained trace elements including manganese, though their specific elemental roles weren’t understood.

The element itself was first isolated in 1774 by Swedish chemist Johan Gottlieb Gahn. By the 20th century, nutritional science began to identify manganese as a necessary trace mineral, and its biochemical roles were gradually clarified. Its inclusion in multi-mineral supplements and therapeutic trace mineral formulas became common in the 1970s and onward, especially in natural health and orthomolecular medicine circles.

Today, manganese is routinely included in dietary supplements, bone-support products, and antioxidant blends, with ongoing research into its role in aging, cognitive health, and metabolic function.

Manganese is used for these health conditions

Diabetes (Scientific)
Osteoporosis (Scientific)
Wounds and Sores (Scientific)

manganese is used to support these body systems

Blood (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Joints (Scientific)
Mitochondria (Scientific)
Nerves (Scientific)
Skeletal System (Bones) (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)