At our IV therapy Toronto clinic, manganese may be offered as a key component in your IV drip. This is important because, when our bodies have low levels of this vital nutrient, we could experience weakness, infertility and poor bone health. As a result, these could get in the way of reaching our health goals!

So how does manganese contribute to optimal functioning? And what are the health benefits to its supplementation? Read the following Q&As below about this nutrient.

What is manganese?

This trace mineral is necessary for physical development, bone health and wound healing in the human body. Concentrated levels are found in the mitochondria of your cells and in your liver, pancreas and kidney cells. Moreover, it instigates chemical reactions related to brain function and detoxification. “These processes include, but are not limited to, macronutrient metabolism, bone formation, free radical defense systems, and in the brain, ammonia clearance and neurotransmitter synthesis,” explains an article from Metal Ions in Life Sciences.

What are some of the beneficial effects?

• It could reduce the risks for bone loss: According to one study, supplementing with the mineral alongside zinc, copper and calcium might assist with reducing spinal bone loss in older females. In another study on women with osteopenia (low bone density), it was suggested that supplementing with vitamin D, magnesium, boron and the above minerals could lead to a bone mass improvement. 
• It helps stimulate enzymes: Our bodies carry an enzyme called MnSOD or manganese superoxide dismutase. This enzyme supports cell membranes by “… getting rid of free radicals that can damage the fats (lipids) in the membrane,” says the University of Rochester Medical Center. Actually, it’s been shown that declining MnSOD levels are linked to cancers, psoriasis and neurodegenerative conditions. 
• Has the potential to lessen inflammation: When combined with glucosamine and chondroitin, one study showed that these three ingredients taken orally might help with treating osteoarthritis in the knee. Ninety-three people with osteoarthritis participated in the study and 52% of those participants described symptom improvement about six months after taking the supplementation. 
• Might assist with balancing blood sugar levels: Did you know that people with diabetes tend to have low levels of manganese in the blood? The mineral helps create insulin in the pancreas, and it’s been postulated that it could also help stabilize blood sugar levels. However, scientists are still attempting to determine if manganese plays a role in developing diabetes, or if the health condition triggers these mineral levels to decline.
• Could minimize PMS symptoms: Further research is necessary, though one study on women revealed that a combination of manganese and calcium supplements might help with mood and pain during PMS.

Is there such a thing as a manganese deficiency?

This deficiency is uncommon. But, “[t]he absorption of manganese may decrease if eaten with iron-rich foods, as these minerals compete for the same proteins that help with their absorption in the intestines,” confirms the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

How can you increase your intake?

First, consult with a functional medicine practitioner for an initial consultation to see if you’re lacking this and/or any other amounts of nutrients. Suitable treatments may be suggested to alleviate nutritional deficiencies. Regarding this specific mineral, it can be consumed through manganese-rich foods, such as blueberries, pineapples, leafy greens, whole grains, soybeans and lentils. Multivitamins and multiminerals also carry it, too, 

Plus, you can boost your intake through IV nutrient therapy (IV vitamin therapy/intravenous therapy). This treatment connects an IV drip to your vein, which allows a nutritional intravenous solution to enter your bloodstream while avoiding the digestive tract. Because it avoids digestion, IV therapy offers a full absorption of nutrients, and may be suitable for those with malabsorption issues. 

DID YOU KNOW…? At our IV Lounge, a wide variety of intravenous infusion drips are available to accommodate unique health needs, increase blood cell production, and promote an improvement in energy levels. We can blend essential nutrients, such as a high dose of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a medley of amino acids, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD IV therapy), major antioxidants, and other beneficial ingredients. You can check our recently published article about Carnitine in IV therapy, or keep reading to learn about our practice and how to reach us. 

About our IV treatments and clinical therapies 

Our vitamin IV therapy is designed to correct deficiencies related to vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more. Freshly compounded on a daily basis in the Toronto area, vitamin drip treatments from our IV Lounge are tailored for your unique biology. Safety matters, so all intravenous treatments are supervised by our health practitioners. (Note: Your duration of treatment depends on the size of the IV bag and amounts of nutrients used.) You may also inquire about our functional medicine testing, which includes blood tests, dried urine samples for hormone levels (DUTCH tests), and more.  

Our integrative and functional medicine treatments could provide new acumen to your chief health concerns. Some of the health conditions we can address include: immune function, adrenal function, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue syndrome, seasonal infections, muscle health, brain health, inflammation from muscle overuse (acute muscle spasm), concerns about cellular functioning, heart health, chronic stress, and more. Our integrative approach also inspires patients to learn how to improve their wellness with the help of acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, herbal medicine, Eastern and Western medicine, and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. 

Let’s customize your treatment plan and tackle the root of your health concerns! IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre could offer you support for optimal health – click here to book your session with our health care team.  

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

References:

Benevolenskaia LI, Toroptsova NV, Nikitinskaia OA, Sharapova EP, Korotkova TA, Rozhinskaia LIa, Marova EI, Dzeranova LK, Molitvoslovova NN, Men’shikova LV, Grudinina OV, Lesniak OM, Evstigneeva LP, Smetnik VP, Shestakova IG, Kuznetsov SIu. Vitrum osteomag v profilaktike osteoporoza u zhenshchin v postmenopauze: rezul’taty sravnitel’nogo otkrytogo mnogotsentrovogo issledovaniia [Vitrum osteomag in prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: results of the comparative open multicenter trial]. Ter Arkh. 2004;76(11):88-93. Russian. PMID: 15658548.

Das A Jr, Hammad TA. Efficacy of a combination of FCHG49 glucosamine hydrochloride, TRH122 low molecular weight sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2000 Sep;8(5):343-50. doi: 10.1053/joca.1999.0308. PMID: 10966840.

Erikson KM, Aschner M. Manganese: Its Role in Disease and Health. Met Ions Life Sci. 2019 Jan 14;19:/books/9783110527872/9783110527872-016/9783110527872-016.xml. doi: 10.1515/9783110527872-016. PMID: 30855111.

Kazi TG, Afridi HI, Kazi N, Jamali MK, Arain MB, Jalbani N, Kandhro GA. Copper, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, and zinc levels in biological samples of diabetes mellitus patients. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2008 Apr;122(1):1-18. doi: 10.1007/s12011-007-8062-y. Epub 2008 Jan 11. PMID: 18193174.

Li C, Zhou HM. The role of manganese superoxide dismutase in inflammation defense. Enzyme Res. 2011;2011:387176. doi: 10.4061/2011/387176. Epub 2011 Oct 3. PMID: 21977313; PMCID: PMC3185262.

“Manganese” from The Nutrition Source by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, viewed on December 23, 2022. 

“Manganese” from the University of Rochester Medical Center, viewed on December 23, 2022. 

“Manganese Fact Sheet for Consumers” from the National Institutes of Health, updated March 22, 2022, viewed on December 23, 2022. 

Penland JG, Johnson PE. Dietary calcium and manganese effects on menstrual cycle symptoms. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 May;168(5):1417-23. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(11)90775-3. PMID: 8498421.

Rondanelli M, Faliva MA, Peroni G, et al. Essentiality of Manganese for Bone Health: An Overview and Update. Natural Product Communications. 2021;16(5). doi:10.1177/1934578X211016649

Strause L, Saltman P, Smith KT, Bracker M, Andon MB. Spinal bone loss in postmenopausal women supplemented with calcium and trace minerals. J Nutr. 1994 Jul;124(7):1060-4. doi: 10.1093/jn/124.7.1060. PMID: 8027856.