The importance of the manganese in the human body

Essay by andrewyuHigh School, 12th gradeA, March 2004

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Manganese make active the activity of enzymes in the body, including those that help proteins to be used as food, and one that breaks down free radicals that can cause heart disease. It also make easier in the production of sex hormones and helps maintain healthy joints and bones structure. However, it helps in the production of the thyroid hormones that control the rate of the body's metabolism and is thought to help balance blood sugar levels. And also help the formation of collagen, which helps heal wounds.

The human body contains approximately ten milligrams of manganese, most of which is found in the liver, bones and kidneys. In addition, this trace element is a cofactor for a number of important enzymes, including arginase, cholinesterase, phosphoglucomutase, pyruvate carboxylase, mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and several phosphates, peptidases and glycosyltransferases. And also, it is important in the structure and breakdown series of protein and nucleic acids, and for the RNA chain beginning.

Moreover, an enough daily intake of manganese is 2 to 5 milligrams and up to 10 milligrams daily is safe. However, good food sources of manganese are whole grains and nuts, wheat bran, organ meats, shellfish, legumes, especially macadamias, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews and pecans, soya beans, chick-peas, brown rice, tea and milk. Furthermore, neonatal manganese deficiency has been linked with chondrodystrophy and perosis, as well as with epiphyseal dysplasia. And also, cardiomyopathy, liver and muscle damage that is the effect of deficiency, which causes the poor resistance to infection, dizziness, poor balance, poor memory, skin rashes and painful joints. As well, any excess manganese will simply not be absorbed by human body, which makes this one of the few minerals that is not toxic to the body that is in large amount.

Finally, it is the 12th most abundant element in...