There are so many nutrients your body needs to keep going.We know that a healthy, balanced diet will give us access to all that we need But knowing what we need is actually the only way to achieve a truly balanced diet.
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Knowing which vitamins and which minerals are available from which foods as well as what those nutrients do for the body will count greatly towards how you manage and optimize your diet.
In this article, we’re going to look at a little known but very important mineral,manganese benefits.
Manganese, just like 15 other minerals, is essential and therefore needs to be obtained from your diet.
So what exactly is it ?.
What Is Manganese?
Manganese is a metallic element with the symbol Mn on the periodic table.
Just like other essential minerals, it is needed in trace quantities but needed nonetheless.
industrially, it is a common constituent in alloys like stainless steel.
Nutritionally, chromium plays a protective and metabolic role which we will discuss in more detail, but first. Let’s take a look at where you can get it from.
What Are The Dietary Sources of Manganese?
Manganese in food
- Almonds
- Black and green teas
- Brown rice
- Instant oatmeal
- Lima beans
- Navy beans
- Peanuts
- Pecan nuts
- Pineapple
- Pinto beans
- Raisin bran
- Spinach
- Sweet potato
- Whole wheat bread
Supplementation of manganese is also possible through multimineral supplements. Foods high in manganese, but we always want to advocate natural sources, so opt for those first.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at what makes manganese vital to your health.
5 Roles and Health Benefits of Manganese
Provides Antioxidants
While not an antioxidant itself, what is manganese used for precursor to the antioxidant superoxide dismutase.
This enzyme also knows as SOD is responsible for targeting a specific free radical called superoxide.
Free radicals are unstable molecules whose volatile nature results in cellular damage that eventually leads to premature cellular death.
Superoxide, as the name would suggest, is one of the more potent free radicals your body can be exposed to.
Limiting the oxidative stress caused by free radicals limits the signs and effects of aging while also boosting healthy metabolic activity.
Blood Glucose Management
Manganese has been shown to stimulate the production of insulin in the beta cells of the pancreas.
The increased abundance of insulin helps the body better control blood glucose levels.
In doing so, what is manganese used for risk factors of diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
On the subject of diabetes, manganese benefits with the treatment and management of type 2 diabetes in those who have it already.
Wound Healing Qualities
Manganese uses, manganese is a great component of the wound healing process.
Sharing similar qualities to another mineral in this regard, zinc, manganese assists in the blood clotting process.
Blood clotting is an essential part of the inflammation phase of the healing process. It creates a boundary from infection while also limiting further blood loss.
Metabolism of Macronutrients
Manganese, just like many other essentials, plays a part in the metabolic process.
By helping break down fats, carbs, and proteins, manganese benefits further the energy agenda of the body.
This metabolic process also provides the necessary raw ingredients for anabolic functions.
What is manganese used for the metabolism of cholesterol and blood lipids.
This has the added benefit of protecting the heart and circulatory system from the risk of disease.
Supports Healthy Bones
Manganese deficiency symptoms
When combining with essentials such as vitamin D and calcium, manganese provides great support for bone health.
It is an important mineral in this regard, indicated by how manganese deficiency also affects bone health, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and other such conditions.
Conclusion.
You need manganese, it is one of the 16 essential nutrients.
You can supplement it through various multimineral supplements, but it is abundant enough through regular foods to give you your daily requirements.
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