Compound or practice · Supplement
Manganese
An essential trace mineral you almost never need to supplement — and shouldn't overdo (it's neurotoxic in excess).
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade B · 1 at grade C — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Neurotoxicity (excess)Evidence grade B
Manganism
Moderatehigh
- Deficiency (rare)Evidence grade C
Seldom seen
Unclearlow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Deficiency (rare) (grade C).
The evidence in words
What it is
Manganese is a trace mineral cofactor for antioxidant and metabolic enzymes; dietary deficiency is very rare.
How it works
It is a cofactor for manganese-superoxide dismutase and enzymes in bone and carbohydrate metabolism.
What the evidence shows
Adequacy is easily met by diet; there is little reason to supplement it alone, and chronic excess (or environmental/water exposure) is neurotoxic (manganism, Parkinson-like). Mostly relevant as a trace component of multivitamins.
How to use it
No standalone supplementation needed for most people.
Safety & interactions
Excess is neurotoxic; avoid high-dose standalone manganese.
Bottom line
You get enough from food. Don't megadose it — too much manganese harms the brain.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- n/a
- No standalone supplement needed.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- MolybdenumAn essential trace mineral you get plenty of from food — supplementation is almost never needed.Evidence grade D
- CalciumFood-first for bone; the supplement matters mainly when dairy is out — and megadosing may not be free of cardiovascular cost.Evidence grade B
- CopperRarely needed alone — it earns a place mainly because high-dose zinc drains it.Evidence grade C
- IodineEssential for thyroid hormone — a deficiency to prevent (iodized salt) and an excess that can itself cause thyroid trouble.Evidence grade B
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.