Manganese is a cofactor for: (1) MnSOD — the superoxide dismutase that protects mitochondria from oxidative damage; (2) arginase — needed for urea cycle (ammonia detoxification); (3) pyruvate carboxylase — gluconeogenesis; and (4) glycosyltransferases — proteoglycan synthesis for bone and cartilage. The neurotoxicity of excess manganese occurs because it accumulates preferentially in the globus pallidus (basal ganglia), where it disrupts dopaminergic neurotransmission — the same pathway affected in Parkinson's disease.
Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.