MANGANESE DEFICIENCY

condition in which an organism does not receive enough manganese, a trace metal found in body ash and thought to be an antisterility factor. Some evidence supports this claim in that infant mortality rates are lower when the manganese blood-chemistry level is maintained to a specific degree. Manganese is known to be a catalyst in the action of calcium and phosphorus in the system, and it is essential for normal bone structure. Principal food sources are legumes (peas), nuts, whole-grain cereal, tea, and green leafy vegetables.