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Manganese Bisglycinate

Highly bioavailable chelated manganese essential for bone formation, antioxidant function, and metabolism

Scientific nameManganese Bisglycinate Chelate FormulaC4H8MnN2O4 Molecular weight203.05 g/mol CAS14281-77-7
80 absorption score
7 safety / 10
10 USD per month
27 elemental manganese %
6 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level B

Manganese Bisglycinate with:

Compatibility score 86 out of 100
86 out of 100
Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Enhanced bone and cartilage formation

Essential for healthy bone development and cartilage synthesis

Required for glycosaminoglycan synthesis and bone matrix formation Evidence A-grade 8-16 weeks

Superior antioxidant protection

Critical component of manganese superoxide dismutase

Essential cofactor for Mn-SOD mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks

Enhanced glucose metabolism

Important for carbohydrate metabolism and insulin function

Required for gluconeogenesis and glucose utilization enzymes Evidence B-grade 4-8 weeks

Improved wound healing

Supports tissue repair and collagen synthesis

Essential for proline hydroxylation in collagen formation Evidence B-grade 2-6 weeks

Brain and nervous system support

Important for neurotransmitter synthesis and brain function

Required for dopamine and serotonin metabolism Evidence B-grade 4-12 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine
Manganese Bisglycinate + Iron Sulfate Manganese can interfere with iron absorption Needs attention 52
Manganese Bisglycinate + Calcium Carbonate High calcium may reduce manganese absorption Needs attention 58
Manganese Bisglycinate + Magnesium Oxide High magnesium may compete with manganese Needs attention 58
Manganese Bisglycinate + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Manganese Bisglycinate + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Manganese Bisglycinate + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Manganese Bisglycinate + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Manganese Bisglycinate + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Manganese Bisglycinate + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Manganese Bisglycinate + Vitamin D3 Both essential for bone health and formation Works better together 86
Manganese Bisglycinate + Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Both essential for bone health and formation Works better together 86
Manganese Bisglycinate + Copper Bisglycinate All three involved in antioxidant enzyme systems Works better together 90

Dosage

With food
Daily2-5 mg
Maintenance1-3 mg
Therapeutic2-5 mg
Upper limit11 mg daily
Elemental manganeseContains ~16% elemental manganese
Upper limit 11 mg NIH ODS

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects4-6 weeks for antioxidant and metabolic benefits
Peak Benefits12-20 weeks for bone and cartilage benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentMonths to years with inadequate intake
Toxicity OnsetMonths to years with chronic excess

How to measure it

$80-150
MarkerWhole blood manganese or serum manganese
OptimalWhole blood: 7-15 μg/L, Serum: 0.5-1.2 μg/L
Deficient belowWhole blood: <4 μg/L
FrequencyOnly if suspected deficiency or toxicity

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Elemental manganese 27.1% of 203.05 g/mol
Absorption Very high 80 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily 0.8 mg
Cost per 10 mg delivered $4.39 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

A 500 mg capsule of Manganese Bisglycinate contains 136 mg of manganese. How much of that crosses into your blood is not measured for this form — the absorption score ranks it against other forms, it is not a share of the dose. How this is calculated →

Works better with

3 documented
+
Vitamin K

Both essential for bone health and formation

Complementary roles in bone matrix synthesis · level B
+
Vitamin C

Both support collagen synthesis

Complementary roles in connective tissue formation · level B
+
Zinc Copper

All three involved in antioxidant enzyme systems

Different but complementary SOD enzymes · level A

What not to take with Manganese Bisglycinate

3 documented
!
Iron

Manganese can interfere with iron absorption

Competition for divalent metal transporter · moderate significance
!
Calcium High Dose

High calcium may reduce manganese absorption

Mineral competition for absorption · mild significance
!
Magnesium High Dose

High magnesium may compete with manganese

Similar transport mechanisms · mild significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining
tetracycline-antibiotics Moderate

Manganese reduces antibiotic absorption

What to do: Space doses 2-4 hours apart

laxatives Minor

May reduce manganese absorption

What to do: Take manganese away from laxatives

antacids Minor

May reduce manganese absorption

What to do: Take manganese away from antacids

Available forms

bioavailability compared
Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate 80

Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate: Superior absorption, Essential for bones, Antioxidant support, Better tolerance

Food sources

before you supplement
Manganese bisglycinate not found naturally in foods Only available as supplement · 80
Whole grains 1-4mg per cup cooked · 15
Nuts (pecans, hazelnuts) 2-5mg per 100g · 20
Leafy green vegetables 0.5-2mg per cup cooked · 10

Too little

deficiency signs
  • Bone demineralization and osteoporosis
  • Impaired glucose tolerance
  • Altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism
  • Poor wound healing
  • Skeletal abnormalities
  • Reduced fertility
  • Growth retardation in children

Too much

toxicity signs
  • Neurological symptoms (manganism):
  • Tremors and muscle rigidity
  • Cognitive impairment and memory problems
  • Parkinson-like symptoms
  • Psychiatric disturbances
  • Motor dysfunction

Who benefits most

bone-osteoporosis-prevention

Essential for bone matrix formation and density

2-5 mg daily
joint-cartilage-health

Critical for cartilage synthesis and joint health

2-5 mg daily
antioxidant-support

Essential for mitochondrial antioxidant protection

2-5 mg daily
wound-healing-recovery

Important for collagen synthesis and tissue repair

2-5 mg daily
metabolic-support

Required for glucose metabolism and enzyme function

2-5 mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Manganese Bisglycinate at 2-5 mg per serving. The form that matters here is Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate.

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How it works

  • Essential cofactor for manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD)
  • Required for glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan synthesis
  • Critical for bone matrix formation and mineralization
  • Essential for gluconeogenesis and glucose metabolism enzymes
  • Required for cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis
  • Involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and metabolism

Key findings

what the evidence supports
  • Essential for bone formation and cartilage synthesis (established)
  • Critical component of mitochondrial antioxidant defense
  • Important for glucose metabolism and insulin function
  • Neurotoxicity risk with excessive exposure (occupational studies)

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-01

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Manganese Bisglycinate?

Documented effects: Enhanced bone and cartilage formation; Superior antioxidant protection; Enhanced glucose metabolism; Improved wound healing. Essential for healthy bone development and cartilage synthesis

How much Manganese Bisglycinate should you take per day?

The common daily range is 2-5 mg. By goal — maintenance: 1-3 mg; therapeutic: 2-5 mg; upper limit: 11 mg daily; elemental manganese: Contains ~16% elemental manganese.

When is the best time to take Manganese Bisglycinate?

With food. First effects are typically reported within 4-6 weeks for antioxidant and metabolic benefits.

What are the side effects of Manganese Bisglycinate?

At excessive doses: Neurological symptoms (manganism):, Tremors and muscle rigidity, Cognitive impairment and memory problems, Parkinson-like symptoms, Psychiatric disturbances. Safety rating at normal doses is 7 out of 10.

What should you not take with Manganese Bisglycinate?

Separate it from Iron, Calcium High Dose, Magnesium High Dose by two to four hours. Manganese can interfere with iron absorption

Does Manganese Bisglycinate interact with medications?

Documented interactions with tetracycline-antibiotics, laxatives, antacids. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How much Manganese Bisglycinate is too much?

The tolerable upper intake level is 11 mg per day for adults, per NIH ODS. Above that, the risk of adverse effects rises: Neurological symptoms (manganism):, Tremors and muscle rigidity, Cognitive impairment and memory problems.

How do you know if you need Manganese Bisglycinate?

The marker is Whole blood manganese or serum manganese, optimal range Whole blood: 7-15 μg/L, Serum: 0.5-1.2 μg/L. Common deficiency signs: Bone demineralization and osteoporosis, Impaired glucose tolerance, Altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, Poor wound healing.

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