Manganese is used as a cofactor for many enzymatic activities involved in carbohydrate metabolism, scavenging reactive oxygen species, reproduction, immune system response and bone formation. It is integral to many physiological processes and symptoms of a deficit may include gut dysbiosis. It also influences neuropathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, depression and prion diseases. Sperm motility and health is also dependent on manganese.
The human body absorbs manganese in the small intestines, after which some is stored in the tissue. Approximately 25% to 40% of the manganese is stored in bone tissue. The body uses regulatory control through absorption and excretion to maintain stable concentrations.