The Healthspan Map · Nutrient

Manganese

Compiled by Aamir Malik, PhD, Professor of Neuroengineering at Brno University of Technology, from published studies. He is a researcher, not a physician. Last updated 21 August 2026.

Linked to getting too much

Where an excess of Manganese is linked: 4 sources.In the order the Map holds them: strongest evidence first. That is a statement about the evidence, not about what matters most.
Condition or system	Direction	Strength	Evidence type	What was found	Source
Brain fog & memory	Don't overdo	Moderate	Cohort / observational	High manganese (e.g. in drinking water) is associated with cognitive dysfunction and neuromotor deficits, especially in children.	Manganese-in-water literature (opens in a new tab)
Depression / low mood	Don't overdo	Emerging	Established clinical	Manganism includes behavioral/psychiatric changes — apathy, anorexia and irritability.	Manganism literature (opens in a new tab)
Neurological & Mental Health	Don't overdo	Strong	Established clinical	Manganese excess accumulates in the basal ganglia and causes MANGANISM — a Parkinson-like extrapyramidal syndrome (bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, gait/speech changes). Chiefly from inhalation (welding/mining), contaminated water, or IV/parenteral nutrition and liver disease; the oral UL is 11 mg.	NIH DRI / manganism literature (opens in a new tab)
Neurological & Mental Health	Don't overdo	Strong	RCT / meta-analysis	Manganese excess accumulates in the basal ganglia and causes MANGANISM — a Parkinson-like extrapyramidal syndrome (bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, gait/speech changes). Chiefly from inhalation (welding/mining), contaminated water, or IV/parenteral nutrition and liver disease; the oral UL is 11 mg.	Manganese exposure and cognitive performance: A meta-analytical approach, Environ Pollut 2023 (opens in a new tab)

The Healthspan Map is part of Fix the Floor, a book by Aamir Malik. About the book