Natural Chemicals
Manganese
Category: Natural chemicals
Type
Voluntary
Introduction and description
Manganese is a chemical element and metal, designated by the symbol Mn. Manganese makes up about 1000 ppm (0.1%) of the Earth's crust, making it the 12th most abundant element there.
Biologically manganese(II) ions function as cofactors for a large variety of enzymes all with different functions. The classes of enzymes that have manganese cofactors are very broad, and include "oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, ligases, lectins, and integrins".
Manganese enzymes are particularly essential in “detoxification of superoxide free radicals in organisms that must deal with elemental oxygen”. The element is a required trace mineral for all known living organisms.
The human body contains about 12 mg of manganese, which is stored mainly in the bones. In the tissue, it is mostly concentrated in the liver and kidneys. In the human brain, the manganese is bound to manganese metalloproteins, most notably glutamine synthetase in astrocytes.
Illnesses and diseases of manganese
Deficiency of manganese is a relatively unknown phenomena although it could theoretically occur. Manganese is an essential trace nutrient in all known forms of life. The reverse transcriptases of many retroviruses contain manganese. The best-known manganese-containing polypeptides may be arginase, the diphtheria toxin. Mn-SOD is in most bacteria. In effect viruses and bacteria need manganese to survive and if they get into us, there is a theoretical possibility that the more virulent ones may well use our stores to feed themselves.
If you look on Pubmed, however, the papers you will find all concern overdosing of manganese
For more details see Manganese imbalance. At the levels described in the papers it might be better described as poisoning.
Sources of manganese – foods
The followong list is principally derived from the USDA Nutrients database
- Spices – cloves, ginger, saffron, cardamon, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin, allspice, nutmeg, anise
- Wholegrains
- Nuts - hazelnuts, pine nuts, butternuts, pecans, macademia, walnuts, chestnuts, peanuts, almonds
- Herbs – parsley, basil, bay leaf, tarragon, thyme, coriander, savory, marjoram, lemon grass, oregano, dill, sage
- Seeds – celery, poppy, fennel, pumpkin, chia, sesame, flax, mustard, sunflower
- Fish and shellfish – mussels,
- Seaweed
- Maple syrup
- Chocolate
- Tea
- Blueberries
- Coriander
- Dandelions
- Nettles
- Prunes
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Tahini
- Yerba Mate
Related observations
Healing observations
- Broad bean Nutrients from USDA 006996
- Dr Duke's list of chemicals and activity for the Shallot 017969
- Dr Duke's list of Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Morus alba L. (Moraceae) -- Sang-Pai-Pi, White Mulberry 027433
- Dr Duke's list of Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Prunella vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) -- Heal-All, Self-Heal 018270
- Dr Duke’s list of Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae) -- Zucchini 027494
- Meat, offal, heavy metals and minerals 005485
- Peas Nutrients according to USDA 006994
- Sacred Lotus seeds - a summary of effects 010393
- USDA Nutrients - Fish, Herring 012459
- USDA Nutrients - Fish, Mackerel 012472
- USDA Nutrients - Fish, Oysters 012458
- USDA Nutrients - Fish, Salmon 012487