What is the potential importance of taking manganese?

Dietary intake of manganese is adequate for most people, according to recent studies in the U.S.However, manganese, along with other trace minerals, is often low in refined and processed foods. People whose diets consist primarily of these types of foods may have low manganese intake. Manganese deficiency has been associated with osteoporosis in an unpublished study. A double-blind trial found that a combination of mineral supplements including manganese prevented bone loss in postmenopausal women.No other studies have investigated the health effects of manganese supplementation. Manganese may be especially important to include when iron is supplemented, since iron can reduce manganese absorption and cause lower body levels of manganese.