Manganese Dosage Guide
Recommended daily intake by age and gender — based on NIH Dietary Reference Intakes.
Our assessment
Based on the provided data, manganese from food is generally safe, but toxicity can occur from contaminated water or inhaled dust. The data shows no evidence of harm from dietary manganese, but symptoms of toxicity are serious and include tremors, muscle spasms, hearing problems, mania, insomnia, depression, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, weakness, and mood changes NIH ODS ↗ NIH DSLD ↗.
How it works
Manganese is an essential trace mineral. The provided data does not describe its mechanism of action or specific biological functions. Data not available on how manganese works in the body from the provided sources.
Safety profile
Specific FDA adverse event report counts for manganese are not provided. The data indicates that manganese toxicity is primarily caused by consuming water with very high levels of manganese or by inhaling large amounts of manganese dust from welding or mining work NIH ODS ↗. Symptoms of toxicity include tremors, muscle spasms, hearing problems, mania, insomnia, depression, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, weakness, and mood changes NIH ODS ↗. No side effects from dietary supplements are listed in the provided FDA data.
Our recommendation
Do not consume water with very high levels of manganese or inhale manganese dust. The data states that manganese is not known to interact with any medicines NIH DSLD ↗. Tell your doctor about all supplements and medicines you take. If you experience tremors, mood changes, or other listed symptoms, seek medical evaluation. Data not available on specific dose thresholds or population cautions from the provided sources.
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH ODS.
Understanding RDAs
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are a set of reference values used to plan and assess nutrient intakes of healthy people. They include:
- RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) — The average daily intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals.
- AI (Adequate Intake) — Established when evidence is insufficient to develop an RDA. Based on observed nutrient intake by healthy people.
- UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level) — The maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects. Exceeding the UL increases the risk of toxicity.
Values vary by age, gender, and life stage (pregnancy, lactation).
Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Recommended Dietary Allowance
| Life Stage | Recommended Amount |
|---|---|
| Birth to 6 months | 0.003 mg |
| Infants 7–12 months | 0.6 mg |
| Children 1–3 years | 1.2 mg |
| Children 4–8 years | 1.5 mg |
| Boys 9–13 years | 1.9 mg |
| Girls 9–13 years | 1.6 mg |
| Teen boys 14–18 years | 2.2 mg |
| Teen girls 14–18 years | 1.6 mg |
| Adult men | 2.3 mg |
| Adult women | 1.8 mg |
| Pregnant teens and women | 2.0 mg |
| Breastfeeding teens and women | 2.6 mg |
Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine