Manganese is essential in tiny quantities and is potentially toxic in larger amounts. The human body contains only about 12 milligrams of manganese. The chemical symbol for manganese is Mn. Manganese is a part of many enzyme systems in the body. Manganese assists an enzyme in the production of glucose when carbohydrates are not available. When excess amino acids are burned for energy, ammonia is produced in the body. A manganese-dependant enzyme detoxifies this ammonia.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTION OF MANGANESE
Manganese is especially important in protecting the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles in the cell. As energy is produced in the mitochondria, powerful free radicals called superoxide radicals are formed. These superoxide radicals are converted to hydrogen peroxide by manganese superoxide dismutase, the principal antioxidant enzyme of mitochondria. The resulting hydrogen peroxide is reduced to water by other antioxidants.
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