Nutritional Supplement

Manganese

Possible Deficiencies

Many people consume less than the 2–5 mg of manganese currently considered safe and adequate. Nonetheless, clear deficiencies are rare. People with osteoporosis sometimes have low blood levels of manganese, suggestive of deficiency.26

Side Effects

Amounts found in supplements (5–20 mg) have not been linked with any toxicity. Excessive intake of manganese rarely lead to psychiatric symptoms. However, most reports of manganese toxicity in otherwise healthy people have been in those people who chronically inhaled manganese dust at their jobs e.g., miners or alloy plant workers. Other sources of manganese intoxication are now recognized, including total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in patients who are being fed intravenously27,28,29 and pesticides containing manganese in agricultural workers who have been exposed.30

Preliminary research suggests that people with cirrhosis31 or cholestasis (blocked bile flow from the gall bladder)32 may not be able to properly excrete manganese. Until more is known, these people should not supplement manganese. Manganese supplementation (3–5 mg per day) has caused severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in a person with insulin-dependent diabetes.33 People with diabetes who want to take manganese should consult their doctor.

References

1. Li L, Yang X. The Essential Element Manganese, Oxidative Stress, and Metabolic Diseases: Links and Interactions. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018;2018:7580707.

2. Shan Z, Chen S, Sun T, et al. U-Shaped Association between Plasma Manganese Levels and Type 2 Diabetes. Environ Health Perspect 2016;124:1876–81.

3. Burlet E, Jain S. Manganese supplementation increases adiponectin and lowers ICAM-1 and creatinine blood levels in Zucker type 2 diabetic rats, and downregulates ICAM-1 by upregulating adiponectin multimerization protein (DsbA-L) in endothelial cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2017;429:1–10.

4. Burlet E, Jain S. Manganese supplementation reduces high glucose-induced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and endothelial dysfunction in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. J Biol Chem 2013;288:6409–16.

5. Anderson RA et al. Chromium supplementation of humans with hypoglycemia. Fed Proc 1984;43:471.

6. Stebbing JB et al. Reactive hypoglycemia and magnesium. Magnesium Bull 1982;2:131-4.

7. Shansky A. Vitamin B3 in the alleviation of hypoglycemia. Drug Cosm Ind 1981;129(4):68-69,104-5.

8. Gaby AR, Wright JV. Nutritional regulation of blood glucose. J Advancement Med 1991;4:57-71.

9. Mohammedi K, Bellili-Munoz N, Driss F, et al. Manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) polymorphisms, plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) concentration and risk of kidney complications in subjects with type 1 diabetes. PLoS One 2014;9:e96916.

10. Mollsten A, Jorsal A, Lajer M, et al. The V16A polymorphism in SOD2 is associated with increased risk of diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular disease in type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia 2009;52:2590–3.

11. Kangas-Kontio T, Vavuli S, Kakko S, et al. Polymorphism of the manganese superoxide dismutase gene but not of vascular endothelial growth factor gene is a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy. Br J Ophthalmol 2009;93:1401–6.

12. Forte G, Bocca B, Peruzzu A, et al. Blood metals concentration in type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Biol Trace Elem Res 2013;156:79–90.

13. Lee S, Jouihan H, Cooksey R, et al. Manganese supplementation protects against diet-induced diabetes in wild type mice by enhancing insulin secretion. Endocrinology 2013;154:1029–38.

14. Manganese-Induced Hypoglycemia. JAMA 1963;183:227.

15. Sandstead HH. Understanding zinc: Recent observations and interpretations. J Lab Clin Med 1994;124:322-7.

16. Tenaud I, Sainte-Marie I, Jumbou O, et al. In vitro modulation of keratinocyte wound healing integrins by zinc, copper and manganese. Br J Dermatol 1999;140:26-34.

17. Pereira CE, Felcman J. Correlation between five minerals and the healing effect of Brazilian medicinal plants. Biol Trace Elem Res 1998;65:251-9.

18. Carlisle EM. Silicon as an essential trace element in animal nutrition. Ciba Found Symp 1986;121:123-39.

19. Leach RM. Role of manganese in mucopolysaccharide metabolism. Fed Proc 1971;30:991.

20. Gold M. Basketball bones. Science 1980;80:101-2.

21. Raloff J. Reasons for boning up on manganese. Science News 1986;Sep 27:199 [review].

22. Strause L, Saltman P, Smith KT, et al. Spinal bone loss in postmenopausal women supplemented with calcium and trace minerals. J Nutr 1994;124:1060-4.

23. Abraham GE, Grewal H. A total dietary program emphasizing magnesium instead of calcium. J Reprod Med 1990;35:503-7.

24. Aston B. Manganese and man. J Orthomolec Psychiatry 1980;9:237-49.

25. National Research Council. Recommended Dietary Allowances. 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989.

26. Raloff J. Reasons for boning up on manganese. Science News 1986;Sep 27:199 [review].

27. Nagatomo S, Umehara F, Hanada K, et al. Manganese intoxication during total parenteral nutrition: report of two cases and review of the literature. J Neurol Sci 1999;162:102-5.

28. Ejima A, Imamura T, Nakamura S, et al. Manganese intoxication during total parenteral nutrition. Lancet 1992;339:426 [letter].

29. Fell JM, Reynolds AP, Meadows N, et al. Manganese toxicity in children receiving long-term parenteral nutrition. Lancet 1996;347:1218-21.

30. Ferraz HB, Bertolucci PH, Pereira JS, et al. Chronic exposure to the fungicide maneb may produce symptoms and signs of CNS manganese intoxication. Neurology 1988;38:550-3.

31. Krieger D, Krieger S, Jansen O, et al. Manganese and chronic hepatic encephalopathy. Lancet 1995;346:270-4.

32. Staunton M, Phelan DM. Manganese toxicity in a patient with cholestasis receiving total parenteral nutrition. Anaesthesia 1995;50:665.

33. Rubenstein AH, Levin NW, Elliott GA. Hypoglycaemia induced by manganese. Nature (London) 1962;194:188-9.

Copyright © 2025 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company.

The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.