Manganese and Parkinson's Disease

Manganese is an essential nutrient humans require on a daily basis. However, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, exposure to too much manganese can cause brain damage. Manganese is present in food, water, multivitamin supplements and the air you breathe, especially in locations where manganese is used in manufacturing.

Functions:

Manganese performs several functions in the body and is found in your pancreas, bones, liver and kidneys. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, manganese helps your body form sex hormones, bones, connective tissues and blood-clotting factors, is necessary for normal nerve and brain function, is an antioxidant that helps fights free radicals and plays a role in calcium absorption, blood sugar regulation and metabolism.

Food Source:

Manganese is abundant in foods such as nuts, seeds, legumes, leafy green vegetables and whole grains. According to Oregon State University, manganese is also present in tea, sweet potatoes, brown rice, oatmeal, raisin bran cereal, pineapples and pineapple juice.

Minimum Requirements:

The Institute of Medicine has established adequate intakes, which are minimum daily requirements for manganese consumption. Manganese adequate intakes for adults are: 2.6 milligrams per day for breastfeeding women, 2.0 milligrams per day for pregnant women, 1.8 milligrams per day for other adult women and 2.3 milligrams per day for adult men.

Tolerable Upper Intakes:

Since overconsumption of manganese is toxic, the Institute of Medicine has also established maximum safe amounts for manganese called "tolerable upper intakes," or ULs. The manganese UL for adults is 11 milligrams per day.

Manganese Deficiency:

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, up to 37 percent of people in the United States may not consume enough manganese in their diets. The same source reports that manganese deficiency can cause weakness, bone malformation, infertility and seizures.

Manganese Toxicity:

Manganese toxicity can result from consuming too much manganese from food, water, supplements or exposure to manganese dust in the air. According to Oregon State University, manganese toxicity can cause neurological problems, symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, tremors, muscle spasms, difficulty walking, irritability, hallucinations and aggressiveness.

Concerns in Children:

Manganese is a essential for proper growth and development in children. However, exposure to too much manganese can delay a child’s motor and cognitive development. According to the U.S. Environmental Agency, children exposed to arsenic and manganese in their environment usually score lower on memory and general intelligence tests.

Requirements for Children:

The Institute of Medicine’s adequate intake levels for manganese in children are 0.003 milligrams per day for infants up to 6 months old, 0.6 milligrams per day for infants ages 6 to 12 months old, 1.2 milligrams per day for children ages 1 to 3 years old, 1.5 milligrams per day for children ages 4 to 8 years old, 1.6 milligrams per day for girls ages 9 to 18 years old, 1.9 milligrams per day for boys ages 9 to 13 years old and 2.2 milligrams per day for boys ages 14 to 18 years old.

ULs for Children:

To help prevent neurological problems and developments delays in children, avoid overexposure to manganese. The Institute of Medicine ULs for manganese in children are 2 milligrams per day for children ages 1 to 3 years old, 3 milligrams per day for children ages 4 to 8 years old, 6 milligrams per day for children ages 9 to 13 years old and 9 milligrams per day for children ages 14 to 18 years old.

Nutrient Interactions:

Manganese absorption is likely affected by taking certain types of supplements. According to Oregon State University, consuming iron, calcium or magnesium supplements may decrease manganese absorption in your body.