Iron & Manganese 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 incidence 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 accurate and being closer to actual intracellular values. As a result, patients are given far too many false positive and false negative recommendations 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 calcium, zinc, or magnesium 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. Below are some iron and manganese interactions with other trace minerals:
There is a synergism between Cobalt + Vit B12 + Manganese, and between Nickel + Vit C + iron, and there are some other interactions between iron + manganese, and for instance copper, chromium, and others, 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, however 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 may have set the stage for tumor development perhaps as much as 10 or 20 years before a benign or malignant growth formed - subsequent to the exposure to, or intake of substances that have adversely affected liver chemistry , such as: Alcohol, Marijuana / cannabis, Antifungal medications, Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Viral infections (e.g. hepatitis), Proton pump inhibitors (Nexium...), Cholesterol-lowering (statin) drugs, Food-related mold / mycotoxins (aflatoxin), 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 Many other factors or medications (certain antibiotics, anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, antiviral, anti- hypertensive, 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, many patients don't exhibit liver storage of these elements any longer. In fact, levels may have dropped below normal (which frequently corresponds to perimenopausal or postmenopausal age ranges), along with reduced stomach acid levels. High and low manganese levels also tend to coincide with estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative cancers. From many years of following patients with a similar history, it appears that if stomach acid levels are normal- ized in time (along with liver functions), these same patients remain largely tumor / cancer-free. That approach is also helpful after cancer has developed, where following successful therapy, cancer is more likely to stay in remission.
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 is about 3 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 reduces 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 absorbable 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 suffucient 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 15 - 200 ng/ml (mcg/L), and 30 - 300 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 easiest on the system 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 cofactor in glycolysis, manganese aids glucose metabolism. It is also needed for normal brain and muscle function, 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, magnesium and Vitamin B2 - as individually matched - will return iron levels closer to normal, and frequently eliminate the need for phlebotomies. ¤ ___________________________________________________________________________________
=================================================================================== Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) is the latest term replacing daily dietary reference values such as Adequate Intake (AI), Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), Estimated Average Requirements (EAR), Nutrient Reference Value (NRV), and Recommended Dietary Allowance / Intake (RDA / RDI). Iron: DRI (RDA): 0-6 months 6-12 months 1-10 years 11-18 years 18 years + 18 years + 50 years + pregnant / lactating Therapeutic Range: Therapeutic Range: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Cellular / Intracellular Effects and Interactions: Iron Synergists: Phosphorus, bismuth, germanium, manganese, Vitamin A, Vit B1, Vit C, Vit 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], * These can have synergistic or antagonistic action, depending on hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic 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, High levels / Overdose / Toxicity / Negative Side Effects - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors: Iron: Hemochromatosis, migraine-headaches, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, higher risk for several cancers, fibroid tumors, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), edema, constipation (high supplementation), ___________________________________________________________________________________ Iron Sources: Meat, fish, shellfish, nuts, seeds, eggs, molasses, wheat germ, whole-grain products, raisins, beans, ===================================================================================
=================================================================================== General recommendations for nutritional supplementation : To avoid stomach problems and promote better tolerance, supplements should always 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 immediately after taking any pills. When taking a very 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. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000-2010 Ronald Roth
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