All About Manganese: Why Keeping It In Check Is Vital To Your Health

Manganese is required in the body in order for the enzymes to act as they should. I mean, really, manganese has a hand in just about everything from proper thyroid and adrenal gland activity to mental function. That is why it is so important to maintain a healthy level of manganese at all times.

While extremely high levels of manganese, called manganese toxicity can cause respiratory problems, mental disturbances and coordination issues, a manganese deficiency is also quite a large problem.

People with low levels of manganese can have cartilage and bone malformation. However, studies on just how specifically low levels of manganese can effect humans are not clear as the majority of studies have been contained to animals. However, it is reasonable to consider what manganese does in the body and that lack of this substance would cause impairment in these areas.

Manganese assists Vitamin C. Manganese triggers the production of enzymes, which then assists Vitamin C in fighting infection and detoxifying the body. Manganese also helps to produce arginase, which helps to turn ammonia into urea.

Yet another thing manganese is involved in is the production of insulin. It is also safe to assume that without enough manganese you could develop diabetes.

People that do develop a manganese deficiency may be on certain medications that inhibit a person’s ability to process the substance including antacids, laxatives or certain antibiotics such as tetracycline.

Another way to have this deficiency is through a diet that lacks this substance. However, this can be easily remedied by the intake of foods rich in manganese such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and even tea.

But how can you know whether or not your manganese levels are right where they should be? That has to be the real question that is on your mind right now. Luckily for you, it is quite easy to keep tabs on this substance as well as many other substances. All you need to do is use an at home test called a wellness panel.

Basically submit oral fluids samples and the lab does the rest. You will receive your results in a few days and then you will have in your hands a document that breaks down your levels for each of the substances tested for on the panel. If you find that your levels of manganese are too low or too high, then you can visit your doctor and work on getting yourself back to normal.

It is a great way to prevent serious complications. By being proactive you can take better care of yourself and not have to rely on the symptoms of various conditions to present themselves before you seek treatment.

This article is written by Lena Butler, the author of Home Testing Blog – Testing It Up, a longer version of this article is located at All About Manganese and resources from other homehealth and wellness testing articles used such as Health Wellness Testing.

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