Gut reaction: Low levels of manganese can aggravate inflammatory bowel disease

Medical Xpress / University of Michigan / Nature Communications ^ | Sept. 12, 2024 | Kim North Shine / Eun-Kyung Choi et al

[ConservativeMind]

Researchers have delved deeper into the relationship between manganese deficiency and inflammatory bowel disease and found that low levels of the micronutrient can exacerbate intestinal injury and inflammation.

Their study centers around the genetic variant of the manganese transporter SLC39A8, which affects manganese levels in the body. People with a genetic variant in SLC39A8, or ZIP8, can have manganese deficiency, which this and prior studies have linked to inflammatory diseases of the intestines such as Crohn's and colitis.

"Our research reveals the crucial role of the manganese transporter SLC39A8 in maintaining healthy manganese levels and intestinal health. Our work also opens new therapeutic possibilities for IBD patients linked to manganese imbalance," said Young-Ah Seo.

Manganese is essential for many physiological functions of the body, including immune responses, bone formation and carbohydrate metabolism. The mineral, which occurs in the body and in foods and other minerals, is plentiful in plant-based foods such as whole grains, legumes, rice, nuts and vegetables. However, today's animal-based diets—meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products—lack sufficient amounts of manganese.

The study cites evidence that dietary consumption of manganese has decreased by more than 40% in the past 15 years in developed countries, including the United States.

That decrease and deficiency are likely linked to a rise in diseases of the bowels, say the researchers, and that manganese deficiency may be responsible for weakening the epithelial barrier of the intestines, leading to disease.

SLC39A8 is essential to regulating manganese levels, acting as the trigger for cells to take in zinc, iron, manganese, and cadmium. SLC39A8-related diseases have only recently been discovered, and the impact of the disease-associated SLC39A8 A391T variant on human health and disease is just beginning to be appreciated.

[George from New England]

I’ll post tomorrow, not at bottles right now

[dp0622]

Hmmm.

I had horrible IBS from 15 (caused by a personal event) until my early 30s.

Then it went away.

But I was still a nervous wreck :)

Still ate awfully.

No new medication or treatment

I will never know why it just “went away”.

I’m glad you got better.

[George from New England]

I’ve had bottom issues since just before covid, so some 4 1/2 years now
GI doctor is useless
Colonoscopy showed nothing but diverticulistis
Had an abscess a month ago and stayed in hospital for 3 days.
Antibiotic did the infection in.
But the underlying pains still persist.
I feel I am being ‘blown off’ when they tell me to see a “Pain Management” specialist

Anybody got any clues

[NelsTandberg]

This is by far the most reckless article/study summary by med xpress I’ve read to date.

Amen! As a retired biophysicist/cardiovascular physiologist, I find my curmudgeon degree is supplanting the academic MSs and PhD.

Stupid ‘effing title. Medical Press might better have said “Gut reaction: Inadequate levels of manganese can aggravate inflammatory bowel disease” Otherwise, one might have assumed that a diet was exceeding a toxic concentration threshold, etc.

The Nature article was only a little more direct. The authors might have explicitly said in the discussion section what they alluded to in their Figure 9:

“Fig. 9 | Mn deficiency upregulates Acer1 expression and treatment with ACER1 inhibitor D-e-MAPP confers protection against colitis in Mn-deficient mice.”

As long as I’m on a rant - I think today I’d show about 1/3 of PhD and post-doc students to the door. Preparation and performance being inadequate.

[telescope115]

Maybe Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?Just a thought.

[logi_cal869]

Amen!

Thanks. I didn't think I was in left field.

[logi_cal869]

Ohhh, the irony:

Keto warning: Low-carb, high-fat diets significantly boost diabetes risk

https://studyfinds.org/low-carb-diets-diabetes-risk/

[George from New England]

Due to my medicare OTC benefit forcing me to CVS ...

CVS Helath Triple Stenth Gluco/Chondr with MSM 120 tablets

and

CVS Health Calcium Citrate + D3
650 mg

do not take Catrical

[ConservativeMind]

Your glucosamine tablets have 2 mg of manganese a serving.

That is worth knowing, and I can pass that onto a relative.

Thank you!

[George from New England]

I have images of the labeling but no idea how to post here

[George from New England]

2 mg says 87%

The Cal one says 52% 1.15 mg per

[George from New England]

I’ve look at my blood work from the past and no place do I see where they every test for Manganese.

I will force this test next sample, in two weeks.

[George from New England]

I say do not take Citrical cause it gave me a kidney stone a decade ago.

There is a good and bad on the Calcium supplements

[ConservativeMind]

That will be a trace mineral that is not normally tested.

If you get the between 2-3 mg a day, I’d say you are fine.

Unfortunately, the amount my wife and I got from foods and supplements was not meeting that, many days each week.

We now get 5 mg a day, net, in a supplement.