Deficiency of manganese

A deficiency of manganese (which is extremely rare) may lead to atherosclerosis, confusion, eye problems, hearing problems, heart disorders, high cholesterol levels, hypertension irritability, memory loss, muscle contradiction, pancreatic damage, profuse perspiration, rapid pulse, teeth grinding, tremors and a tendency towards breast ailments.

Although people who consume normal varied diets do not appear to be at risk for manganese deficiency, certain disorders may cause suboptimal status.

Manganese deficiency has been shown to lead to bone demineralization and impaired growth in children, decreased serum cholesterol levels and a transient skin rash in young men, and mildly abnormal glucose tolerance in young women.
Deficiency of manganese

Sources of Manganese

The largest quantities of manganese are found in avocados, nuts and seeds, seaweeds and whole grains.

Refined grains are a poor source of manganese, as milling removes 73 percent of the manganese content and the enrichment process does not put it back.

Manganese may also be found in blueberries, egg yolks, legumes, dried peas, pineapples and green leafy vegetables.

Vegetable products contribute almost 75 percent of the manganese consumed by the average adult human male.

Meat, dairy products, poultry, fish and refined foods are poor sources: they contain little manganese.

Herbs that contain manganese include alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginseng, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, mullein, parsley, peppermint, raspberry, red clover, rosehips, wild yam, yarrow and yellow dock.

Other sources included tea and coffee. Some estimates suggest that coffee or tea supplies as much as 20 to 30 percent of our daily manganese intake.
Sources of Manganese