Higher intake of dietary manganese, an essential mineral found in leafy green vegetables, fruits and nuts could lead to infection of the heart by a bacterium, researchers warned.
Read also:Hues of purple on plate for healthy life
According to study:
- Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”).
- It is the leading cause of bacterial endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart chamber and heart valves).
- And the second most frequent cause of bloodstream infections.
- In the study, most of the mice that consumed a high manganese diet.
- About three times more manganese than normal — died after infection with staph.
- The researchers, found that excess manganese inactivates a key line of defence against pathogens.
- In addition,the innate immune system’s reactive oxygen burst.
- Normally, in response to staph, “neutrophils pour into the site of infection
- And blast the bacteria with reactive oxygen species,” Researchers explained.
- However, the excess manganese counters this blast.
Read also:Get nutrition basics right
What Researchers say?
- It’s striking that a single dietary change can inactivate one of the most powerful branches of innate immune defence and lead to fatal infection.
- The human body does a wonderful job of regulating nutrient levels and a traditional Western diet has plenty of minerals in it.
- The idea of super-dosing nutrients needs to be given careful consideration,” they noted.
Read also:What to think about before getting a tattoo, piercing
Findings:
- The findings showed that increased manganese in hair samples.
- Furthermore,was significantly associated with decline in full-scale IQ, processing speed and working memory.
- Children may be particularly susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of ambient manganese exposure.
- In addition,as their brains are undergoing a dynamic process of growth and development.