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Manganese

Manganese is a trace mineral that helps build bone and powers enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase, which protects cells from oxidative damage. The evidence is strongest in people with low manganese, where studies found blood manganese levels and MnSOD levels went up. Findings for bone density, oxidative stress markers, PMS symptoms and wound closure are only moderate, and those studies were small to moderate in size.

Best evidence
Grade A
Conditions studied
8
Outcomes
14
Graded outcomes
2750

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

8 conditions

Manganese Deficiency: outcomes studied for Manganese
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Serum Manganese Levels

Large Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect400 people
MnSOD Levels

Large Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect300 people
Antioxidant Status: outcomes studied for Manganese
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
MnSOD Activity

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect320 people
Oxidative Stress Markers

Moderate Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect280 people

Bone Health

  • Bone Mineral Density: improves
  • Bone Formation Markers: improves
Bone Health: outcomes studied for Manganese
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bone Mineral Density

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect350 people
Bone Formation Markers

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect240 people

Wound Healing

  • Wound Closure Rate: improves
  • Collagen Synthesis: improves
Wound Healing: outcomes studied for Manganese
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Wound Closure Rate

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect160 people
Collagen Synthesis

Moderate Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect120 people

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

  • PMS Symptoms: improves
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): outcomes studied for Manganese
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
PMS Symptoms

Moderate Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect180 people

Glucose Metabolism

  • Insulin Sensitivity: improves
  • Fasting Blood Glucose: improves
Glucose Metabolism: outcomes studied for Manganese
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Insulin Sensitivity

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect200 people
Fasting Blood Glucose

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect180 people

Epilepsy

  • Seizure Frequency: improves
Epilepsy: outcomes studied for Manganese
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Seizure Frequency

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect80 people

Osteoarthritis (OA)

  • Joint Pain: improves
  • Cartilage Health: improves
Osteoarthritis (OA): outcomes studied for Manganese
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Joint Pain

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect200 people
Cartilage Health

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect120 people

Key findings

  • Serum Manganese LevelsManganese DeficiencyImproves (the measure goes up)
  • MnSOD LevelsManganese DeficiencyImproves (the measure goes up)
  • MnSOD ActivityAntioxidant StatusImproves (the measure goes up)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Third-party tested Manganese products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade A

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Studies cited

10 studies from PubMed

  1. Manganese and Bone Health: A Systematic ReviewNeurotoxicology, 2018 · PMID 29587942
  2. Manganese and Neurotoxicity: Evidence from Occupational and Environmental StudiesNeurotoxicology, 2018 · PMID 30175489
  3. Manganese and Antioxidant Defense: Mechanisms and Clinical ImplicationsInt J Mol Sci, 2018 · PMID 29625879
  4. Manganese Homeostasis and Transport: Current UnderstandingFront Biosci, 2018 · PMID 30054289
  5. Manganese: Essentiality and Toxicity - A ReviewArch Toxicol, 2017 · PMID 28889521
  6. Manganese Deficiency and Supplementation: A ReviewJ Nutr, 2017 · PMID 28356232
  7. Manganese and Cognitive Function: Evidence from Human StudiesNeurotoxicology, 2017 · PMID 28477876
  8. Safe Upper Levels of Manganese Intake: A Review of EvidenceAm J Clin Nutr, 2017 · PMID 29256841
  9. The Role of Manganese in Human Metabolism: A ReviewBiochem J, 2016 · PMID 27655069
  10. Dietary Manganese Intake and Health: A Comprehensive ReviewJ Trace Elem Med Biol, 2016 · PMID 27895114