Manganese

Enzymes for carbohydrate/fat metabolism, bone formation and antioxidant systems.

Swiss reference value

Switzerland age 18–65: 3 mg/day.

Good food sources

Whole grains, nuts, legumes, tea and leafy vegetables.

When intake or status is low

Very rare and poorly characterised in humans; possible bone and metabolic changes.

Long-term health connections

Everyday symptoms cannot usefully be diagnosed as “manganese deficiency”.

Skin, hair and nails

No established specific hair or nail signs.

Who is more at risk

Severe general malnutrition or rare metabolic settings.

How to assess it

Routine testing is rarely useful; consider specialist clinical context.

Supplements: when to consider

Not needed with a varied diet.

Too much and safety

Chronic high exposure can damage the nervous system; liver disease increases risk.

International reference systems