MANGANESE

Manganese

Manganese was first brought to our attention in 1931.  Since then many amazing studies have provided us with a wealth of information regarding this little known element.  Manganese has been dubbed, "The Big M" due to its vital role in maternal emotions, muscles and metabolism.  

It is often said that new mothers who lack proper affection for their newborns are cold and heartless.  Modern society may be jumping to conclusions here.  It may be just a simple nutritional deficiency.  Due to this lack of manganese in her system, a mother's children may be more likely to develop myasthenia gravis (lack of coordination, loss of muscle strength and weakness) or even diabetes.  Manganese is essential for the utilization of many nutrients in the body, B vitamins being at the top of the list.

R.E. Shrader and G.J. Everson reported in the Journal of Nutrition (1968) that a manganese deficiency can lead to problems with glucose tolerance.  They conducted a series of tests on guinea pigs.  In these cases, they found that young guinea pigs that were the offspring of manganese deficient females, had problems utilizing glucose.  In an earlier study done in 1967, also found in the Journal of Nutrition, these researchers discovered that animals who were manganese deficient produced babies with pancreatic disorders or without a pancreas altogether.  The pancreas is the organ that produces insulin, which in turn aids the body in the utilization of sugar in the system.  The question here should be-can a lack of this trace element cause diabetes?  In a study reported in Klinical Medicine in 1964 by L.G. Kosenko, it would seem the answer to that question would be YES.  Dr. Kosenko studied 122 diabetic subjects aged 15-81.  He discovered that the manganese content in their blood was 50% less than in normal subjects.  He also found that those who had been diabetics the longest also portrayed the lowest amount of manganese in their systems.  Although this may be news to allopathic medicine, folk practitioners have known it for years.  Extracts of blueberry and eucalyptus, cabbage, onion, clam tissues and baker's and brewer's yeast all have been used in home remedies to treat diabetes mellitis. This has been documented in Nutrition Reviews, July of 1968.

Studies have shown that manganese acts as a catalyst to many of our enzyme systems.  In a study done by Orent and McCollum recorded in a book entitled Deficiency Disease by Charles C. Thomas, published in 1968, they used several manganese deficient female animals and bred them to normal male animal subjects.  The results were astounding.  They found that 1/3 of the offspring were born dead and while normal mothers of the rat species readily adopt orphaned young ones, the manganese deficient mothers refused to do so.  They found that only 7 of the 107 babies were adopted.  They also noted that male rats fed a manganese deficient diet became sterile.  When entire families of rats were put on this same diet, several second generation rats developed ataxia and equilibrium problems.  So we now know that a lack of manganese can also directly affect the reproductive organs.  Manganese is also important in the synthesis of cholesterol.  Since cholesterol is used in the production of sex steroids, a manganese deficiency can interrupt this process.

On a different level, in the book called, 'The Thymus, Manganese and Myasthenia Gravis' by Dr. Emanuel Josephson, he explains why there is a higher incidence of this among young chidren in areas where ferric iron is found in the soil.  He believes this is due to the fact that our soils are relatively low in soluble manganese.  High phosphorus and calcium in the soil makes this increasingly so.  Dr. Josephson goes on to show remarkable come backs from myasthenia gravis in subjects whose diet was rich in manganese, B vitamins, ascorbic acid and protein.

Since manganese is key in many enzyme functions, it acts as a catalyst for the utilization of choline, biotin, ascorbic acid and thiamine. It should be a staple in our daily routine.  It is amazing that we survive with so little of it in our modern diets.  Where does manganese appear in our diets anyway?  Since our soils are so depleted how do we know we are getting anything at all?  It is possible if you buy certified non-gmo organic food you get a much better chance of getting what you require.  Or better yet...grow your own food.  In the 1960's it was determined that wheat germ had 30 times more manganese than regular flour.  Many seeds are high in this element as well.  Whole grains, dried peas and beans, rye and oatmeal are rich in manganese too (again if grown properly).  The only ones lacking in proper amounts for this mineral are meats, dairy products, seafood, poultry, soda pop, etc.  Basically everything most of us ingest on a daily basis.  Research has also found that excess of phosphorus and calcium in the body increase the need for manganese in the body.

Dr. Robert M. Hill once recommended that a young physician eat large amounts of buckwheat cakes.  This young man had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Dr. Hill believed a lack of manganese to be at the root of the problem.  The young physician took his advice and saw his symptoms disappear and never return.  Now while this may not work with many people, there is no harm in eating foods rich in manganese.

Dr. Hill came to this conclusion from his study on rats.  These laboratory animals were repeatedly introduced to multiple sclerosis.  Manganese was eliminated from their diets.  They were fed milk that had vitamins added to it to give it a boost.  Through this diet alone he was able to see the actual deterioration of the myelin sheath-the protective coating surrounding your individual nerve cells.  His findings were recorded by the Denver Post in August of 1964.  He explained how the problems could be reversed by adding a concentrate of manganese to the diet.

Scientists have known since 1958 of the link between the lack of manganese and nerve and muscle disorders or diseases.  In fact, there is more and more evidence showing that manganese could be useful in treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia.

Researchers Geiger, Hurley and Everson explained their experience working with rats born to mothers that were manganese deficient.  These rats suffered acute loss of muscle control.  In the first litters, 66% of the rats had ataxia, in the second litters it was 76% and in the third litters it was 100%.  While all of these studies are important, let us not forget that manganese is also essential to bone and tooth strength, growth, central nervous system integrity and reproduction.

Famous basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton can attest to the miracles of manganese.  For a long time he struggled with bone problems but his calcium levels always tested normal.  However, once it was realized his manganese levels were low, they (the doctors and trainers) started him on a manganese supplement.  After 6 weeks his bone strength increased and he was able to return to basketball.

At the University of Missouri in 1967 at a conference on Trace Substances, Dr. George Cotzia stated that manganese was essential for the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides.  This material aids in forming cushions for the joints and the surrounding tissues around the joints.  It makes the synovial joint fluid more elastic and increases its thickness.  Incidentally, those with rheumatoid arthritis are found to be deficient in this material.  Is it any wonder why when manganese is at the core of its synthesis?  

It has also been found that the antioxidant SOD (Super Oxide Dismutase), is also manganese dependent.  In a 4 month study conducted at the University of Wisconsin, a manganese deficiency directly effects the activity of SOD in the white blood cells.  So in essence, manganese gives our immune system a boost as well.  A lack of manganese can also cause dizziness, poor cartilage formation, memory problems, hearing issues, fatigue, irritability and the lack of milk production in nursing mothers.  It would be safe to say that the Big M is a must.

As is customary with our posts we are including links below for your perusal. This post has not been evaluated by the FDA.  This information is not meant to treat, prevent, mitigate or cure and disorder or disease. Please consult with your physician before beginning a supplement program.

http://www.amazon.com/Manganese-Supplement-Alternative-Medicine-Healthy/dp/1516812484/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451768757&sr=1-2&keywords=manganese

http://www.amazon.com/Manganese-Understanding-Elements-Periodic-Table/dp/1404214089/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451768757&sr=1-3&keywords=manganese

http://www.amazon.com/Manganese-Health-Disease-Modern-Nutrition/dp/0849378419/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451768757&sr=1-4&keywords=manganese

http://www.amazon.com/Manganese-catalytic-oxidation-ammonia-Charles/dp/B00646ANIS/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451768757&sr=1-6&keywords=manganese

http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Manganese-Richard-Beatty/dp/076141813X/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451768757&sr=1-10&keywords=manganese

http://www.amazon.com/Manganese-Metabolism-Enzyme-Function-Schramm/dp/0124312004/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451768987&sr=1-13&keywords=manganese