Manganese

What role does it play in the organism?
Manganese is a vital trace element. It takes part in the basic processes of the metabolism, as the structural constituent of a number of enzymes. It plays a role in the energy release from foodstuffs, defence against free radicals, blood coagulation and bone formation (Vitamin K playing a key role in blood coagulation and bone formation is capable of functioning only together with manganese).

What foodstuffs contain it?
Good dietary sources of manganese are cereals and oil seeds.

Who are exposed to manganese deficiency and what does this deficiency state cause?
Manganese deficiency occurs nearly exclusively owing to inadequate dietary intake and causes slow blood coagulation, backwardness in growth, as well as carbohydrate and fat metabolism disorders. According to Hungarian data, average manganese intake is below the necessary quantity.

What is the recommended intake for manganese?
The daily requirement is 1-4 mg for children depending on age and 4 mg for adults.

What are the health risks of excessive manganese intake?
Manganese poisoning does not occur among normal circumstances, it has been perceived only among people working in manganese mines and ore processing plants.