Nutrients
Manganese
Mn
Included in Complete.
Compare membershipsMost people get plenty of manganese from food.
Manganese is a trace mineral that helps many enzymes do their work, including those involved in metabolism, bone formation, and protecting cells from oxidative damage. Most people get plenty from whole grains, nuts, legumes, tea, and vegetables.
Running low is rare, and excess usually comes from exposure.
Manganese deficiency is very rare, and no group of people is known to be at risk of low intake. Higher levels have mostly been linked to breathing manganese dust or fumes at work, as in welding or mining, or to drinking water with high levels. Low iron stores can increase how much manganese you absorb, and chronic liver disease can slow its removal.
Blood manganese varies a lot between people and doesn't line up well with what you eat. Excess manganese usually leaves the body within a few days, so a result says little about past exposure. Research on what a result means for health is still developing.
Questions
What does a higher manganese result mean?
It may reflect recent exposure, for example from work, drinking water, or supplements. Your clinician will consider your job, water source, liver health, and other results before deciding whether follow-up makes sense.
Can I get too much manganese from food?
Problems with excess manganese have mostly been seen with inhaling it at work, drinking water with high levels, or reduced clearance from liver disease. A varied diet is the usual source of the small amounts your body needs.