Can Elevated Manganese Affect Adrenal Health?

When we check adrenal health using a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), we usually focus on the four main macro minerals. These are calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. We also look at certain ratios, like the sodium to potassium ratio and the sodium to magnesium ratio.

There are signs on the HTMA that can show if someone has problems with their adrenal glands. These issues can lead to losing or keeping certain elements in the body. One of these elements is manganese. It can also mean that a person has trouble changing manganese into a form that the body can use easily.

Known Benefits of Manganese

When people think about manganese, we link it to its benefits:
Enzyme Function: Manganese helps many enzymes that are important for metabolism. This includes enzymes that aid in processing carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol.

Antioxidant Defense: It is part of the enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). This enzyme is important for protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. It does this by neutralizing oxidative harm.

Bone Health: Manganese helps in making bone and connective tissue. It also plays a part in hardening bones.

Wound Healing: It helps the body make collagen and heal wounds well.

Blood Sugar Regulation: Some evidence shows that manganese might help insulin work better and support how glucose is used in the body.

Brain Function: It is key for normal brain and nerve function. This is partly because it helps in making neurotransmitters.

But adrenal health? This is something recent. Let us clarify it.

Manganese and Adrenal Function

Manganese is a helpful element. It raises certain nutrients, like sodium, which tells the kidneys to make more aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone made by the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys. It is important for blood pressure, keeping minerals balanced, and maintaining a healthy pH level in the blood. Aldosterone works mainly by telling the kidneys to take in sodium and let go of potassium. This helps the body keep more water, which raises blood volume and helps to keep blood pressure steady. By managing sodium and potassium levels, aldosterone helps with key body functions like muscle movement, nerve signals, and keeping fluids balanced. It also helps to balance pH by promoting the removal of hydrogen ions from the body, which is important for healthy blood pH.

Manganese Toxicity and Weak Adrenals

However, this only happens if a person can use manganese properly. This means they can take it in as a good nutrient and do not have toxicity problems. If someone cannot bind to manganese well, it can show very high on a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA). This is often linked to weak adrenal glands. When the adrenal glands are weak, manganese can build up in the body in a harmful way because it is not usable. It can then act like a heavy metal and affect the adrenals. This can look like this:

Physical Symptoms:

Weight gain, especially around the belly and face (a "moon face")

High blood pressure

Muscle weakness

Frequent urination and increased thirst

Skin can change in several ways. Some common changes are thinning skin, easy bruising, and acne.

Irregular menstrual cycles or reduced libido

Mental and Emotional Symptoms:

Anxiety, irritability, or mood swings

Poor sleep or insomnia

Difficulty concentrating ("brain fog")

Energy and Metabolism:

Fatigue, despite adequate rest

Cravings for salty or sweet foods

Elevated blood sugar levels or insulin resistance

If this sounds like you and you think you may have too much manganese and weak adrenals, we suggest getting our HTMA and setting up a consult with us so we can help you! Schedule yours with us!

Conclusion

The link between manganese and adrenal health is more complicated than people used to think. Manganese is important for many body functions. However, its effect on adrenal health can be serious if not processed properly. High manganese levels in an HTMA test may show weak adrenal glands and possible toxicity. This can cause several physical, mental, and metabolic problems. This surprising link shows why it is important to have a good mineral analysis to understand and deal with adrenal health issues. If you think you have manganese toxicity or weak adrenal glands, think about getting an HTMA test. You should also see a healthcare expert to create a plan to improve your adrenal health and feel better overall.