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Manganese; Manganese Chloride; Manganese Gluconate; Manganese Picolinate; Manganese Sulfate

Proposed Uses: Menstrual Pain; Osteoporosis; Diabetes; Epilepsy; Muscle Sprains/Strains; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Tardive Dyskinesia

Manganese plays an important role as part of the natural antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps fight damaging free radicals. It also helps energy metabolism, thyroid function, blood sugar control, and normal skeletal growth.

The best sources of dietary manganese are whole grains, legumes, avocados, grape juice, chocolate, seaweed, egg yolks, nuts, seeds, boysenberries, blueberries, pineapples, spinach, collard greens, peas, and green vegetables.

The absorption of manganese may be impaired by simultaneous intake of antacids or calcium or iron supplements.

Therapeutic Dosages
A typical dosage used in studies on manganese is 3 to 6 mg daily.

It is sometimes recommended at a much higher dose of 50 to 200 mg daily for 2 weeks following a muscle sprain or strain, but this dosage exceeds recommended safe intake levels.

Therapeutic Uses
Because manganese plays a role in bone metabolism, it has been suggested as a treatment for osteoporosis, a condition in which bone mass deteriorates with age. However, we have no direct evidence that manganese is helpful, except perhaps in combination with other minerals.

One small but rigorous study suggests that making sure to get enough manganese may help control symptoms of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).5
Manganese has also been suggested for the treatment of muscle strains and sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, and tardive dyskinesia,  but there is no reliable evidence as yet to indicate that it actually helps.

People with epilepsy or diabetes have lower-than-normal levels of manganese in their blood. This suggests that manganese supplements might be useful for these conditions. Unfortunately, the studies that could prove or disprove this idea haven't been performed.

Safety Issues
Manganese is thought to be safe when taken by adults at a dose of 11 mg daily or less. The maximum safe dosage of manganese for pregnant or nursing women has also been established as 11 mg daily, or 9 mg if 18 years old or younger.

Very high exposure to manganese (due either to environmental pollution or manganese mining) has resulted in a serious psychiatric disorder known as "manganese madness."

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