You may not know much about this mineral with the funny name that people often confuse with magnesium. But like many of the "lesser elements," it's a magic powerhouse --- literally. Its name comes from the Greek word for magic. It helps to form connective tissue, clot blood, and build estrogen and testosterone, and it assists in metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It also plays a role in regulating your blood sugar, putting it at center stage in diabetes nutrition.
Manganese
Manganese holds a dynamic paradox scientists are still trying to figure out. This trace mineral is nutritionally essential. There's an RDA for it, and you could face serious health consequences from having dangerously low levels of manganese, including reproductive problems, impaired growth and bone problems. At the same time, too much manganese is potentially toxic and can result in nerve-related health problems, such as tremors, hallucinations and psychiatric symptoms. The Institute of Medicine recommends men get 2.3 mg daily, and women get 1.8 mg.
Manganese Deficiency and Blood Sugar
Because of manganese's role in carbohydrate metabolism, one of the signals of having too little manganese is impaired glucose tolerance, or IGT. This condition is otherwise known as pre-diabetes. It refers to a condition in which your blood sugar level is elevated, but it's not yet high enough to warrant a diabetes diagnosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 79 million people had pre-diabetes in 2010. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse reports that most people with pre-diabetes go on to develop diabetes within 10 years if they don't bring the condition under control by losing weight, changing their diet and getting more exercise.
Manganese Levels in Diabetes
Research has yielded mixed results as to the role of manganese in diabetes patients, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. In a 1991 study published in "Diabetes Care," manganese levels between diabetics and nondiabetics were comparable. In a similar 2008 study in "Biological Trace Element Research," Sindh University researchers reported diabetics in their sample had significantly lower levels of manganese. The Linus Pauling Institute states that people with diabetes tend to excrete more manganese in their urine than people without diabetes.
Getting More Manganese
NYU's Department of Medicine Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism reports that although evidence seems to suggest manganese supplementation might be beneficial to diabetics, there's not yet enough evidence to support whether it would work or not. Manganese is fairly easy to get through natural food sources, however. Although whole grains, nuts and seeds provide an ample supply of manganese, about 37 percent of Americans don't get enough, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. That's because many people tend to eat more refined grains, which strips some of the manganese content. Before considering taking more manganese, consult your doctor.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute; Manganese; Jane Higdon; Aug. 2001
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Manganese
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes, Vitamins
- "Diabetes Care"; Copper, Zinc, Manganese, and Magnesium Status and Complications of Diabetes Mellitus; R.M. Walters, Jr. et al.; Nov. 1991
- Biological Trace Element Research"; Copper, Chromium, Manganese, Iron, Nickel, and Zinc Levels in Biological Samples of Diabetes Mellitus Patients; Tasneem Gul Kazi et al.; 2008
- NYU Department of Medicine Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism;
