Nutrition

‘Mighty’ Manganese as may be called for various health benefits which manganese provides to the body. It was found in late 1930 that manganese is important for human body. Later studies established health benefits of manganese for growth, bone development, functioning of reproductive and nervous system.

Human body contains only about 10-20 mg of manganese distributed in body tissues. Mitochondria the energy centre of the cell has high concentration of manganese. Our diet may contain adequate manganese; however our intestine is able to absorb only a fraction of it in blood. Hence it is stored in tissues of liver, kidney, blood and pancreas.

Health benefits of Manganese

What are the health benefits of manganese? Manganese may be trace mineral required for body, however it has medicinal benefits on disease like allergy, asthma, diabetes, heart diseases, osteoporosis, Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, learning disabilities, Schizophrenics, etc. Health benefits of manganese are many and deficiency of manganese may result in bone malformation, infertility, weakness. Some of the health benefits of manganese are listed below:

Manganese functions as Enzyme activator: We may eat a lot of nutrients, however they are of no use if we are not able to utilize them. Body contains many enzymes which has diverse functions in body, including metabolism of nutrients. Manganese is important component of this enzyme system. Various health benefits of manganese are outcome of this key function of manganese. Manganese activates the enzymes responsible for Metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and utilization of several key nutrients including biotin, thiamin, ascorbic acid, and choline. Manganese participates in production of sex hormones and maintaining reproductive health. It also activates enzyme required for formation of bone. Manganese is thought to be involved in production of thyroxine hormone in thyroid glands. It is also essential for proper iron metabolism, thereby helping to prevent anemia. Manganese is further involved in blood clotting, increasing effectiveness of vitamin E and Vitamin B1 and absorption of calcium.

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. Around half of the magnesium in body is found in bone, while remaining is predominantly found in body tissues and organs including liver, brain and kidney. Only 1% of magnesium is found in blood.

Magnesium is part of over 300 biochemical reactions in body and is essential for good health. Magnesium is vital for normal muscle and nerve function. Magnesium is often regarded as balm or smoothie material, due to its ability to relax muscles and nerves. Magnesium also plays important role in prevention of hypertension, regulating blood sugar.

Sources of magnesium

Chlorophyll molecule in green vegetables contains magnesium. Thus green vegetables such as spinach are good sources of magnesium. Legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole unrefined grains are also good sources of magnesium. Magnesium is also found in water, especially hard water.