Ingredient Repository · Ingredient

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Ingredient

Manganese

Essential trace mineral cofactor for antioxidant defense, bone cartilage synthesis, and amino acid metabolism.

What it is

Manganese (as manganese sulfate or manganese gluconate) is an essential trace element required for glycosyltransferase and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) enzyme activities. In Velobiotics multivitamin complexes (Her-Biotics, His-Biotics, BioGain Probiotic Meal), manganese is combined with microencapsulated probiotics to support joint matrix formation and cellular antioxidant defense.

Also known as: Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Gluconate

What it does

  • Serves as the active cofactor for mitochondrial MnSOD, protecting cells from oxidative stress.
  • Activates glycosyltransferases and chondroitin sulfate synthesis for cartilage and bone matrix formation.
  • Participates in gluconeogenesis, urea cycle metabolism, and amino acid breakdown.
  • Supports wound healing and collagen formation alongside vitamin C and zinc.

Amplified by probiotics

Manganese absorption occurs primarily in the small intestine via active and passive transport mechanisms. Probiotic lactic acid bacteria maintain acidic microenvironments through lactic and acetic acid production, keeping Mn2+ cations in a soluble form suitable for enterocyte uptake. Lactic acid bacteria also utilize manganese as an intracellular protective antioxidant, creating a mutually supportive gut environment where probiotic viability and host manganese absorption are optimized concurrently.

Typical dose

1.8–5.0 mg/day

The evidence

Evidence: strong

Clinical evidence confirms manganese's obligatory role in mitochondrial antioxidant protection via MnSOD and connective tissue matrix synthesis. Deficiency impairs bone density and carbohydrate metabolism. (Aschner M, Erikson KM. 2017, Adv Nutr; Li L, Yang X. 2018, Environ Health Prev Med; Greger JL. 1999, J Nutr).

  1. Aschner M, Erikson KM. Manganese. Adv Nutr. 2017;8(3):520-521 PubMed ↗
  2. Li L, Yang X. The essential element manganese, oxidative stress, and metabolic diseases. Environ Health Prev Med. 2018;23(1):50 PubMed ↗
  3. Greger JL. Nutrition is an important factor in the physiology of manganese. J Nutr. 1999;129(3):778S-780S PubMed ↗

Safety & who should check first

Tolerable Upper Intake Level is 11 mg/day for adults. Safe at recommended nutritional doses. Avoid excessive intake in patients with chronic liver disease due to altered biliary clearance.