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While you probably know about important minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium, you may not be aware of manganese and the important role it plays in your health. That’s probably because you only need a small amount of this essential mineral.
Your body needs manganese to metabolize nutrients for your body to use as energy, supporting immunity, and for many other important functions, reported BBC Good Food. Since manganese is an essential mineral, you cannot synthesize it so you must get it from the food you eat. A diet rich in nuts, legumes, oats, shellfish, spinach, and liver, can supply enough of the manganese you need every day.
Here are five important health benefits of this mighty mineral:
Essential for Bone Health
Your body absorbs manganese in your small intestine, but it is stored in your bones where it is essential for bone health, according to Healthline. When combined with calcium, zinc, and copper, manganese supports bone mineral density, and this is important to prevent loss of bone density, osteoporosis and bone breakage in older women. Around 50 percent of postmenopausal women aged 50 and older will suffer a broken bone due to osteoporosis.
Contains Powerful Antioxidants
Manganese contains superoxide dismutase (SODs) an important antioxidant that fights against the free radicals that cause oxidative stress in your body. Free radicals damage your cells and contribute to chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. SODs convert free radicals into smaller molecules that will not damage your cells.
Promotes Thyroid Health
Manganese also helps enzymes function properly in your body and plays a significant role in the production of the hormone thyroxine. This hormone is vital for the normal functioning of your thyroid gland. The thyroid helps maintain metabolism, appetite, and organ efficiency. A manganese deficiency could cause a hypothyroid condition that contributes to weight gain and hormone imbalances.
Helps Wound Healing
Manganese helps wound healing because it is necessary to produce the amino acid proline. This hormone produces collagen which is essential for healing skin cells. But that’s not all. Combined with vitamin K, manganese aids in the formation of blood clots, explained MedicalNewsToday. Clotting, which stops blood from flowing out of a damaged blood vessel, is the first step in wound healing.
Regulates Blood Sugar
For people who have diabetes, manganese may help lower their blood sugar levels. That’s because people with lower levels of manganese can lead to glucose intolerance. While scientists are not sure if low levels of the mineral contribute to developing diabetes or if it is a result of the disease, either way, it is important. Manganese can also help to produce more insulin that helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
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