Iron & Manganese
The information presented is based on Cellular trace mineral analysis - not Serum / Blood measurements.
RDA / DRI, synergists, antagonists, and additional deficiency / overdose / toxicity symptoms are listed at the bottom of the page.
Both elements share left-right-sided cell receptors and are considered essential to human health. As is the
case with all other associated mineral pairs, the absorption of Iron (Fe) is dependent on Manganese (Mn),
however with manganese being frequently lower than iron, and since iron can provoke a number of problems
when supplemented (constipation, gastric upset), the addition of manganese, when low, is vitally important.
This not only prevents further ratio conflicts between the two, but also substantially reduces the amount of
iron needed when manganese is supplemented at the same time.
While some sources claim that manganese lowers iron levels, this is mostly a theoretical consideration that
would only happen under unusual circumstances. In actual clinical settings, I have not seen a single inci-
dence of a patient's iron (ferritin) levels decline as a result of taking manganese, even when doses as high as
150 mg per day were supplemented on an ongoing basis. In fact, most minor iron-deficiency situations can
be dealt with by using manganese alone - without any iron - which reduces any possible adverse effects that
can be part of routine iron supplementation.
In contrast to Acu-Cell Analysis, routine blood tests do not include manganese measurements, but use a
number of iron determinations alone, none of which are very reliable to assess true iron requirements in
a patient, with only ferritin levels being more useful, and being closer to actual intracellular values.
As a result, patients are given far too many false positive and false negative recommendations (especially
with polycythemia or thalassemia issues) to take - or not to take extra iron supplements, to the detriment
of the patient. Pregnant women are a most vulnerable target for either insufficient, or excessive iron
supplementation, with the latter being able to trigger 'Toxemia of Pregnancy' (high iron causes excessive
sodium retention), and in which case higher amounts of folic acid should have been recommended instead.
Likewise, blood loss, or malabsorption are considered to be the main causes for low iron after ruling out any
of a number of blood disorders, however low iron can very easily result from manganese levels having been
low for a long period of time, or from other factors such as excessive calcium, zinc, or magnesium levels
reducing iron values. Cellular levels of iron best correspond to actual symptoms of excess or deficiency,
in contrast to blood levels, which unfortunately fluctuate considerably under various medical situations,
particularly with infections. Following are some iron and manganese interactions with other trace minerals:
There is a synergism between Cobalt + Vitamin B12 + Manganese, and between Nickel + Vitamin C + Iron,
and there are some other interactions between iron and manganese, and for instance copper and chromium,
but they are less specific since they depend on the total chemical profile, or they can go either way, which
in the case of copper can either help, or inhibit iron or manganese absorption.
There is also a synergistic and antagonistic interaction between Iron + Manganese and B-Vitamins, whereby
these interactions will change under various medical situations as well. For instances, with kidney disease, a
fine balance needs to be maintained between folate and iron levels since one will otherwise inhibit the other.
The same applies with adrenal disturbances, except they will affect the balance between iron and Vitamin B1.
Stomach acid levels heavily interact synergistically with iron and manganese, whereby the absorption of both
minerals is enhanced by higher HCl acid levels, and likewise, an increase in iron or manganese will generally,
but not always, result in raised stomach acid levels. Since Calcium and Magnesium have the exact opposite
effect on stomach acid levels, their interaction with iron and manganese have a major impact on medical
situations that are associated with raised or lowered stomach acid levels (see also "Calcium & Magnesium").
Liver Functions:
Excessive manganese and/or iron storage can set the stage for tumor development as much as 10 or 20 years
before a benign or malignant growth develops - subsequent to the exposure or intake of substances that have
an adverse effect on Liver Chemistry, which includes:
• Alcohol,
• Marijuana / cannabis,
• Antifungal medications,
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol),
• Viral infections (e.g. hepatitis),
• Cholesterol-lowering (statin) drugs,
• Food-related mold / mycotoxins (aflatoxin),
• Proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid...),
• Hormones (e.g. estrogen, androgen, anabolic steroids),
• Heavy metal / toxic exposure (PVC, arsenic, pesticides),
• Dry cleaning chemicals (tetrachloroethylene / perchloroethylene),
• Genetic disposition (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, hemochromatosis),
• Foods / beverages heated in plasticware containing Bisphenol A (BPA).
• Herbal / nutritional supplements (Lakota, kava, devil's claw, celandine, comfrey, chaparral).
• Evening primrose oil [EPO] (impairs liver functions in some individuals. Symptoms include
mild, but chronic nausea).
Many other factors or medications (certain antibiotics, anesthetics, antihypertensive, antiviral, tricyclic
antidepressants, anti-seizure... drugs) can result in higher manganese (and some in excessive iron) storage,
regardless of actual manganese or iron consumption. In addition, certain foods or beverages (grapefruit
juice) can slow the liver's ability to metabolize many toxins and drugs, resulting in higher manganese and/or
iron retention as well.
By the time a tumor develops, patients don't always exhibit liver storage of these elements any longer, or
they may have dropped below normal as a result of perimenopausal or postmenopausal hormone changes,
along with reduced stomach acid levels. High and low manganese levels tend to coincide with estrogen
From many years of following patients with a similar medical history, it appears that if stomach acid levels
and liver functions are normalized in time, patients remain largely tumor-free. That approach is also helpful
after cancer has developed, where following successful therapy, cancer is more likely to stay in remission.
Iron:
DRI (RDA):
0-6 months
6-12 months
1-10 years
11-18 years males
19 + years males
11-18 years females
19-50 years females
50 + years females
pregnant
lactating
0.27mg AI
11mg
7mg - 10mg
8mg - 11mg
8mg
8mg - 15mg
18mg
8mg
27mg
9mg - 10mg
Manganese:
DRI (RDA):
0-6 months
6-12 months
1-10 years
11-18 years males
19 + years males
11-18 years females
19-50 years females
50 + years females
pregnant
lactating
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Cellular / Intracellular Attributes and Interactions:
Iron Synergists:
Phosphorus, bismuth, germanium,nickel, manganese,
Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, folate,
niacin, niacinamide, lecithin, protein.
Iron Antagonists:
Zinc, calcium, magnesium, tin, cobalt, gallium,
Vitamin B2, Vit B5, Vit B12, Vitamin E, caffeine,
insoluble fiber, rice (phytates), tea (tannic acid),
soy protein, dairy (casein), oxalic acid, [folate].
Manganese Synergists:
Sodium, lithium, silicon / silica, cobalt, PABA,
biotin, niacin / niacinamide, Vitamin E, choline,
sugar,* alcohol.*
Manganese Antagonists:
Potassium, magnesium, calcium, iodine, nickel,
boron, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B15,
Vitamin C, [iron], sugar,* alcohol.*
* These can have synergistic or antagonistic action, depending on hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic tendencies.
Low Levels / Deficiency - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
Iron:
Fatigue, anemia, depression, dizziness, asthma,
gastrointestinal disorders, pale skin, miscarriage,
amenorrhea (failure to menstruate), dysmenorrhea,
(painful periods), migraine-headaches, Ménière's
disease, learning difficulties, weak immune system,
restless leg / legs syndrome, ovarian cysts (left),
delayed development in infants and children.
Manganese:
Fatigue, depression, hypoglycemia / low blood
sugar, joint dislocations (particularly knees),
high cholesterol, asthma, migraine-headaches,
osteoporosis, gastrointestinal disorders, PMS,
infrequent menstrual cycles, ovarian cysts (right).
Iron:
Hemochromatosis, migraine-headaches, arthritis,
high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease,
dizziness, gastrointestinal disorders, nausea,
higher risk for several cancers, fibroid tumors,
benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), edema,
constipation (high supplementation), diabetes,
preeclampsia, lowered IQ in children.
High levels / Overdose / Toxicity / Negative Side Effects - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
Manganese:
Migraine-headaches, PMS, frequent menstrual
cycles, endometriosis, dizziness, depression,
mental illness, learning disabilities, hypothyroid,
higher risk for several cancers, fibroid tumors,
insomnia, osteoporosis, edema, liver disease,
chronic nausea, colitis, muscle tremors, diabetes,
higher risk for tendon / ligament tears.
Iron Sources:
Meat, fish, shellfish, nuts, seeds, eggs, molasses,
wheat germ, whole-grain products, raisins, beans.
Manganese Sources:
Nuts, seeds, whole-grain products, wheat germ,
seaweed, beans, peas, ginger, coffee. ¤
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General recommendations for nutritional supplementation: To avoid stomach problems and improve tolerance,
supplements should be taken earlier, or in the middle of a larger meal. When taken on an empty stomach or
after a meal, there is a greater risk of some tablets causing irritation, or eventually erosion of the esophageal
sphincter, resulting in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is also advisable not to lie down right after
taking pills. When taking a large daily amount of a single nutrient, it is better to split it up into smaller doses
to not interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in food, or nutrients supplemented at lower amounts.
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Copyright © 2000-2012 Acu-Cell Nutrition - Manganese & Iron
The primary function of Iron in the body is the formation of hemoglobin, the essential oxygen-carrying compo-
nent of the red blood cell (RBC). In combination with protein, iron is carried in the blood to the bone marrow,
where with the help of copper, it forms hemoglobin. Red blood cells pick up oxygen from the lungs and distri-
bute it to the rest of the tissues, all of which need oxygen to survive. Iron absorbed into the blood is usually
bound to the protein transferrin and goes mainly to the bone marrow, where it can be used to make red blood
cells.
Myoglobin is a red, iron-containing protein, which stores oxygen for muscle contraction. There are about 3 mg
to 5 gm of iron in the body, of which hemoglobin represents 65%, while about 30% occurs as ferritin, which is
the iron storage complex found in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Neutrophils (white blood cells) depend
on iron to help generate superoxide to function as a bacteria-destroying agent, whereby inadequate iron levels
reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. With severe iron deficiency, hemoglobin levels decline and
the packed volume of red blood cells, the hematocrit, declines.
Heme Iron from meat is about 10 times more absorbable17 than iron from all plant / vegetable sources.
Many vegans have trouble obtaining sufficient iron from the diet alone since phytates present in whole grains
and oxalates found in certain vegetables may bind to some of the iron and reduce absorption. Iron deficiency
is more common during infancy, childhood, adolescence, pregnancy, menstruation, chronic infections, low
stomach acid (sometimes from low salt intake), chronic diarrhea, impaired absorption (celiac disease), or
bleeding. The elderly may become iron deficient due to poorer absorption and inadequate dietary intake of
iron. Vitamin C, protein, niacinamide and sufficient stomach acid all help iron absorption.
Iron Toxicity (high organ storage of iron) and/or high blood levels of iron are associated with an increased
risk of free radical damage and cancer. Ferritin levels are a good indication of iron storage levels. Normal
values for females range from 18 - 180 ng/ml (mcg/L), and 18 - 270 ng/ml for males. Levels below 15 ng/ml
suggest very depleted iron reserves, and higher ferritin (> 350 ng/ml) can be a risk factor for cardiovascular
disease and diabetes. Free radicals formed as a result of high iron can attack low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
and subsequently lead to fatty plaque buildup, damage to the walls of arteries, as well as heart muscle tissue.
Iron supplements frequently cause constipation or stomach complaints, which may result from the use of
ferrous sulfate, or similar hard-to-digest forms of iron. Other types of iron such as ferrous gluconate, ferrous
fumarate, or ideally Chelated Iron Supplements are generally better tolerated, and there are also water-
soluble iron products that are probably the least problematic on the body, and cause less of these effects.
* * *
Manganese is a much neglected, but extremely important mineral when trying to stabilize blood sugar,
particularly with hypoglycemic individuals, and for lowering total cholesterol (cholesterol-lowering drugs may
raise manganese). It has strong estrogenic properties, and as a result is the most important element when
nutritionally treating menopausal symptoms, menstrual problems, osteoporosis, and postpartum depression,
for which manganese, along with Vitamin B1, is most effective.
Just like iron, manganese can be helpful with some types of asthma, where lung capacity measurably
improvers proportional to manganese intake. Extra supplementation of manganese may be helpful in some
cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, deafness, epilepsy, infertility, and lack of libido in both sexes. In addition,
individuals who regularly dislocate joints (particularly knee joints), frequently present with insufficient Mn
levels, so normalizing manganese in those cases will permanently resolve that problem. On the other hand,
high manganese levels increase the risk for tendon / ligament tears.
Manganese is important to many enzyme systems such as protein metabolism, bone formation, and the
synthesis of L-dopamine and cholesterol, as well as carbohydrate metabolism, where it is required for the
synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate substances (gluconeogenesis). As a co-factor in glycolysis,
manganese aids glucose metabolism.
It is also needed for normal muscle and brain function,18 blood clotting, and DNA and RNA synthesis, and it
activates the enzyme responsible for the formation of urea. Manganese may help with some symptoms of
Parkinson's disease such as muscle rigidity and twitching, although an excessive level of manganese can in
itself produce Parkinsonian syndrome from a loss of dopamine in the brain cells. L-dopa, which converts to
dopamine in the brain, is used in the treatment of manganese toxicity to reduce the symptoms. High levels
of manganese can produce violence and other mental changes, including a psychiatric disorder resembling
schizophrenia.
When people supplement certain herbs to "cleanse" their liver, they will always affect manganese and iron
status. For instance, by taking Devil's Claw on an ongoing basis, they will eventually raise manganese and
iron levels. On the other hand, taking higher amounts of Milk Thistle will in time decrease manganese and
iron stores, which can be an advantage with hemochromatosis (excess iron storage disease), where
regular consumption of milk thistle, RNA / DNA, zinc, magnesium and Vitamin B2 - as individually matched -
will return iron levels closer to normal, and frequently eliminate the need for phlebotomies. ¤
Acu-Cell Nutrition
UL: 40mg - 45mg
Therapeutic Range: 10mg - 900mg +
Best time to take Iron: Morning - afternoon, with
sufficient food to prevent stomach irritation. Include
synergists such as Vitamin C (optional), but avoid
taking iron antagonists at the same time listed below:
0.003mg AI
0.6mg AI
1.2 - 1.9mg AI
1.9 - 2.2mg AI
2.3mg AI
1.6mg AI
1.8mg AI
1.8mg AI
2.0mg AI
2.6mg AI
UL: 2mg - 11mg
Therapeutic Range: 10mg - 200mg +
Best time to take Manganese: Morning - evening,
with sufficient food to prevent stomach upsets, but
avoid taking manganese antagonists at the same time
listed below:
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2012 Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) - Adequate Intake (AI) - Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) - Recommended Dietary Allowance / Intake (RDA / RDI)
Iron
Manganese
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Updated: 15. Jan. 2012