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Friday, May 3, 2024

Manganese: Health benefits and side effects - Medical News Today

Last updated Tuesday, November 2, 2021 11:11 ET , Source: NewsService

Manganese is a trace mineral. It is vital for the human body, but people only need it in small amounts.

Manganese contributes to many bodily functions, including the metabolism of amino acids, cholesterol, glucose, and carbohydrates. It also plays a role in bone formation, blood clotting, and reducing inflammation.

The human body cannot produce manganese, but it can store it in the liver, pancreas, bones, kidneys, and brain. A person usually obtains manganese from their diet.

In this article, learn more about how manganese functions in the body, as well as where to find it.

The potential health benefits of manganese include:

Providing antioxidants

Manganese helps form an antioxidant enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD). Antioxidants shield the body from free radicals, which are molecules that destroy or damage cells in the body.

The authors of a 2011 study found that SOD helps break down one of the more dangerous free radicals, called superoxide, into smaller components that are not harmful.

In laboratory and animal models, this process could reduce inflammation related to lung pleurisy, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis.

More research is necessary to prove the benefits of these antioxidants in the human body, however.

Supporting bone health

Manganese may help promote strong, dense bones when combined with other nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D.

Although some earlier studies have suggested that manganese could make bones denser, more recent research has...



Read Full Story: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325636

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