Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsManganese vs. MagnesiumManganeseMagnesiumFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Manganese vs. Magnesium

Manganese

Magnesium

Frequently Asked Questions

Manganeseis an essential trace mineral in the environment and is abundant in many foods. An essential trace mineral is something that your body can’t make; you need to get it from food or supplements.

Magnesiumis an abundant body mineral in many foods and some common medicines.

Both elements are crucial to body function and appear beneficial when added through diet or supplementation in recommended amounts.

Read on to learn more about the functions and uses of these two different minerals.

Manganese is an essential trace mineral found in the environment and in foods.

It should be noted, however, that manganese can be dangerous if a deficiency occurs or when supplemented in high amounts.

Uses

Manganese has been studied for the following uses:

Deficiency

It is important to note that manganese deficiency is rare but possible. The effects of manganese deficiency are discussed below:

Of studies conducted in humans, manganese deficiency has been found to cause skin rash, decreased cholesterol levels and elevated liver enzymes, as well as elevated calcium and phosphorus blood levels.

Deficiency has also been linked to altered, low mood in women.

Special Considerations

Below are several important safety considerations when supplementing with manganese:

Toxicity: Manganese toxicity is more commonly seen in humans than deficiency. Early signs of toxicity can include increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and elevated cholesterol levels. Manganese toxicity can also cause lasting neurological damage.

Note that toxicity does not occur through natural dietary intake of manganese in daily life. It is generally only found in cases of taking excess manganese supplements or being exposed to high levels of manganese in the environment.

Precautions: Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should exercise caution if supplementing with manganese. Individuals with liver damage are at high risk for developing manganese toxicity.Excess manganese should not be provided to children, as it can cause neurological defects.

Interactions: Manganese toxicity can occur in cases of iron deficiency.

Side effects: Common side effects of manganese are generally only seen in cases of deficiency or toxicity (excess amounts).

Female’s hand takes a bottle of medicine from a pharmacy shelf.d3sign / Getty Images

Female’s hand takes a bottle of medicine from a pharmacy shelf

d3sign / Getty Images

Magnesium is an abundant body mineral in many foods and some common medicines, such as laxatives and antacids.

It is essential to most body processes, including the following:

Like manganese, magnesium can be dangerous if a deficiency occurs or when supplemented in high amounts.

Magnesium has been studied for the following uses:

The effects of magnesium deficiency are discussed below:

Magnesium deficiency is uncommon but can occur when not enough magnesium is consumed in the diet or, more likely, too much magnesium is excreted in the urine.

Increased excretion can be the result of a genetic abnormality. However, it can also be the result of certain prescribed medicines, like proton pump inhibitors and diuretics.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include the following:

In severe cases, deficiency can result in neurological conditions such as seizures or heart conditions such as arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).

Below are several important safety considerations when supplementing with magnesium:

Early symptoms of toxicity include low blood pressure, nausea, and fatigue. Severe signs of toxicity include low heart rate, low breathing rate, and overall neuromuscular dysfunction (impairment of the nerves that control voluntary muscles).

Precautions: Older adults are at increased risk for magnesium deficiency,as are individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetesand gastrointestinal (GI) diseases such as Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Interactions: Proton pump inhibitors and diuretics can cause magnesium depletion. It is best to exercise caution when taking these medications.

Side effects: The most common side effects of magnesium are the result of either deficiency or toxicity.

Summary

Magnesiumis an abundant mineral in many foods and some common medicines. It’s been studied for its use in heart disease, type 2 diabetes, mood disorders, sleep, and migraine.

Both minerals are crucial to body functions that can come from diet or taking supplements in recommended amounts.

Frequently Asked QuestionsManganese is an essential trace element that is found commonly in the environment and is abundant in many foods. Manganese aids in many of the body’s crucial metabolic processes, through its work in supporting enzyme activation.It should be noted, however, that manganese can be dangerous when deficiency occurs or when supplemented in high amounts.Magnesium is an abundant body mineral that is also found in many foods and some common medicines, such as laxatives and some antacids. It is essential to most of the body’s processes. It plays a role in bone health, blood sugar regulation, muscle and nerve function, as well as DNA synthesis.Much like manganese, magnesium can be dangerous both in deficiency or when supplemented in high amounts.No, manganese and magnesium are not the same thing. Though they are both commonly found in the diet and are critical for your body’s functioning, they are two distinct elements whose names sound similar.

Manganese is an essential trace element that is found commonly in the environment and is abundant in many foods. Manganese aids in many of the body’s crucial metabolic processes, through its work in supporting enzyme activation.It should be noted, however, that manganese can be dangerous when deficiency occurs or when supplemented in high amounts.

Manganese is an essential trace element that is found commonly in the environment and is abundant in many foods. Manganese aids in many of the body’s crucial metabolic processes, through its work in supporting enzyme activation.

It should be noted, however, that manganese can be dangerous when deficiency occurs or when supplemented in high amounts.

Magnesium is an abundant body mineral that is also found in many foods and some common medicines, such as laxatives and some antacids. It is essential to most of the body’s processes. It plays a role in bone health, blood sugar regulation, muscle and nerve function, as well as DNA synthesis.Much like manganese, magnesium can be dangerous both in deficiency or when supplemented in high amounts.

Magnesium is an abundant body mineral that is also found in many foods and some common medicines, such as laxatives and some antacids. It is essential to most of the body’s processes. It plays a role in bone health, blood sugar regulation, muscle and nerve function, as well as DNA synthesis.

Much like manganese, magnesium can be dangerous both in deficiency or when supplemented in high amounts.

No, manganese and magnesium are not the same thing. Though they are both commonly found in the diet and are critical for your body’s functioning, they are two distinct elements whose names sound similar.

18 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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