Fatty liver is a serious disease that affects approximately 30% of the world’s population. Manganese is an essential micronutrient for the body in small amounts, and various studies have linked elevated manganese levels with obesity and insulin resistance. However, the relationship between blood manganese levels and fatty liver disease is unknown.
A study was recently published in the journal Metabolism Open that included 6,278 people. All were assessed for the presence or absence of fatty liver disease, and their blood manganese levels were determined. The authors found that 2,728 subjects had fatty liver disease, representing 43% of the people included in this study. These patients with fatty liver disease had significantly higher manganese levels than those without fatty liver disease, indicating that high blood manganese levels are a risk factor for the development of fatty liver disease. Based on the data they found, the authors conclude that blood manganese levels should be below 8.25 micrograms per liter to prevent the development of fatty liver.
It is important to remind that there are foods rich in manganese, such as cereals, nuts, green leafy vegetables (spinach, chard), mussels, and clams. Dr. Carreño and the Foundation’s doctors emphasize the importance of monitoring manganese levels, and therefore, if patients consume large amounts of the aforementioned foods, they recommend limiting their intake to reduce the risk of fatty liver disease.
Finally, there are industries (metallurgy, steel, mining, chemical, battery manufacturing, etc.) in which employees may be exposed to manganese, so it may be advisable to measure blood levels of this metal to prevent fatty liver disease.
