To Your Health
July, 2010 (Vol. 04, Issue 07)
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9. Manganese

Functions: Manganese, a trace mineral, participates as an enzyme activator and catalyst in the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. It facilitates protein and carbohydrate metabolism and hormone production.

It Manganese acts as an antioxidant and promotes bone strength, stable blood sugar levels, thyroid function and nerve conduction. A deficiency can negatively impact many physiological processes including growth, skeletal structure, and carbohydrate and fat metabolism.

Sources: Manganese is naturally present in abundance, so it is easy to supplement the trace amounts found in human tissue. Dietary sources include red berries, pineapple, leafy greens, garlic, grapes, summer squash, oats, spelt, green beans, brown rice, garbanzo beans, and some spices.

Recommended Daily Intake: Adequate intake for manganese is 3 mcg for infants and 2-3 mg for adults.

10. Molybdenum

Functions: Molybdenum, which is normally present in very small quantities in the body, plays a role in many important biological processes, including development of the nervous system, waste processing in the kidneys, and energy production in cells. Molybdenum is used to treat rare inherited metabolic diseases (such as Wilson's disease, in which the body cannot process copper). It may be helpful in cancer protection and in reducing the heart and lung damage caused by some chemotherapy drugs. Deficiencies are most often related to malfunction of the liver and can result in jaundice, nausea, fatigue, headaches, tachypnea, tachycardia, vomiting, nausea, and coma.

Sources: Common sources of molybdenum include legumes (:beans, peas, and lentils), grains, leafy vegetables, liver, and nuts. The amount of molybdenum in plants varies according to the amount in the soil.

The ABCs of Good Health - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark Recommended Daily Intake: The RDA of molybdenum for most adults is around 45 mcg, with an RDA of 50 mcg for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

It is important to understand that while deficiencies of each of these vitamins and minerals can have poor health consequences, problems can occur as a result of overdoses as well. Common overdose symptoms for vitamins and minerals include but are not limited to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, headache, blood sugar imbalances and increased risk of liver damage. Certain vitamins/minerals also interact with medication, which is why it's always important to discuss supplementation with your doctor prior to doing so.


Richard Drucker, ND, is a licensed naturopath who has been performing concentrated research and work in the natural health and nutraceutical fields for more than 20 years. He is the CEO of Drucker Labs (www.druckerlabs.com).