TRAACS® Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate
Mechanism of Action +
### The Biochemistry of Manganese
Manganese is an essential trace element that functions primarily as a coenzyme in several critical biological processes, including macronutrient metabolism, bone formation, and free radical defense systems. In the human body, manganese exists predominantly in the +2 and +3 oxidation states. It is a transition metal that is required for the catalytic activity of dozens of enzymes. The most biochemically significant of these include manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), arginase, glutamine synthetase, and various glycosyltransferases and xylosyltransferases.
### The TRAACS® Chelation Technology
Standard inorganic mineral supplements, such as manganese sulfate or manganese oxide, consist of a metal ion ionically bound to a non-metal salt. When these compounds enter the highly acidic environment of the stomach, they dissociate into free ions. Free manganese ions (Mn2+) are highly reactive and susceptible to binding with dietary inhibitors like phytic acid, oxalic acid, and polyphenols, forming insoluble complexes that are excreted rather than absorbed. Furthermore, free manganese must compete with other divalent cations—such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc—for uptake via the Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1) in the small intestine.
TRAACS® (The Real Amino Acid Chelate System), developed by Albion Minerals, circumvents these absorption barriers through true molecular chelation. In a bisglycinate chelate, one manganese ion is covalently bonded to the amino and carboxyl groups of two distinct glycine molecules. Glycine is utilized because it is the smallest amino acid, possessing a molecular weight of roughly 75 Daltons. The resulting manganese bisglycinate molecule has a molecular weight well under the 800-Dalton threshold required for efficient intestinal absorption. The coordinate covalent bonds stabilize the manganese ion, creating a neutrally charged, heterocyclic ring structure that protects the mineral from dietary antagonists and stomach acid.
### Pharmacokinetics and Absorption Pathways
Because the manganese is securely bound within the glycine molecules, the body does not recognize it as a free metal ion. Instead, it is recognized as a dipeptide. This allows the manganese bisglycinate chelate to bypass the easily saturated DMT1 pathway. It is absorbed intact through the intestinal mucosa via dipeptide and tripeptide transport proteins, primarily PEPT1.
Once the intact chelate crosses the enterocyte membrane and enters the bloodstream, it is transported to target tissues. The chelate is eventually hydrolyzed by cytoplasmic peptidases, releasing the free manganese ion for cellular utilization and the glycine molecules for structural or neurotransmitter functions. This dual-pathway absorption significantly increases the bioavailability of the mineral while virtually eliminating the gastrointestinal distress often associated with unabsorbed free minerals drawing water into the colon.
### Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) Pathway
One of the most vital roles of intracellular manganese is its function as the active center of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD). MnSOD is the principal antioxidant enzyme located within the mitochondrial matrix. During the process of oxidative phosphorylation (ATP production), the electron transport chain inevitably leaks electrons, which react with oxygen to form the highly reactive and damaging superoxide radical (O2•−).
MnSOD catalyzes the dismutation of this superoxide radical into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and diatomic oxygen (O2). The hydrogen peroxide is subsequently neutralized into water by catalase or glutathione peroxidase. Because mitochondria are the primary source of cellular energy—and consequently the primary source of reactive oxygen species (ROS)—maintaining adequate manganese levels is absolutely critical for preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and apoptosis induced by oxidative stress.
### Connective Tissue and Cartilage Synthesis
In the context of sports nutrition and joint health, manganese is indispensable for the synthesis of proteoglycans, which are the major structural components of cartilage and bone matrix. Manganese serves as an obligate cofactor for glycosyltransferases and xylosyltransferases.
These enzymes are responsible for the polymerization of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, and their subsequent attachment to core proteins to form proteoglycans. Without adequate manganese, the structural integrity of the extracellular matrix is compromised, leading to weakened cartilage, impaired wound healing, and increased susceptibility to joint injuries. By providing a highly bioavailable form of manganese, TRAACS® Manganese Bisglycinate ensures that chondrocytes have the necessary cofactors to repair and maintain articular cartilage under the stress of heavy physical training.
What is traacs bisglycinate chelate? +
What are the side effects of manganese bisglycinate? +
What does magnesium bisglycinate chelate do for the body? +
What is Traacs good for? +
What medication cannot be taken with magnesium bisglycinate? +
Does manganese interact with any medications? +
Does chelated magnesium interact with any medications? +
Who should not take magnesium chelate? +
How much manganese bisglycinate should I take daily? +
Why is glycine used in TRAACS chelates? +
Is manganese bisglycinate better than manganese sulfate? +
Can I take manganese on an empty stomach? +
What is the difference between bisglycinate and glycinate? +
How does manganese support joint health? +
Is TRAACS a brand name? +
Can manganese cause toxicity? +
Does manganese bisglycinate help with bone density? +
Why is manganese included in joint supplements? +
How do I know if my supplement uses real chelated manganese? +
Does manganese bisglycinate help with energy? +
Everything About TRAACS® Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate Article
## Introduction to TRAACS® Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate
Manganese is one of the most underappreciated trace minerals in sports nutrition. While athletes obsess over magnesium for cramping and zinc for testosterone, manganese quietly performs some of the most critical structural and protective functions in the human body. From neutralizing highly destructive free radicals in your mitochondria to literally building the cartilage that cushions your joints, manganese is essential.
However, getting enough manganese into your system is notoriously difficult. Inorganic forms of manganese, such as manganese sulfate, have terrible bioavailability. They break apart in stomach acid, bind to anti-nutrients in your food, and fight a losing battle against iron and calcium for absorption in the gut. This is where TRAACS® Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate changes the game. By binding manganese to the amino acid glycine, Albion Minerals created a form of manganese that your body absorbs not as a rock, but as a protein.
## Why Chelation Matters: The TRAACS® Difference
The word "chelate" comes from the Greek word for "claw." In a true mineral chelate, amino acids wrap around the mineral ion like a claw, protecting it. But not all chelates on the supplement market are created equal. Many products labeled as "manganese chelate" are simply complexed mixtures—essentially, mineral salts mixed with rice protein.
TRAACS® stands for The Real Amino Acid Chelate System. Developed by Albion Minerals, this patented technology ensures that the manganese is covalently bonded to two molecules of glycine. Glycine is the smallest amino acid, making the entire bisglycinate molecule small enough to pass directly through the intestinal wall. Albion verifies this molecular bond using Fast Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
Because the manganese is hidden inside the glycine molecules, it doesn't carry a positive charge. It doesn't react with phytic acid from plants, and it doesn't compete with iron or zinc at the Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1). Instead, it is absorbed through the PEPT1 transporter, which is designed for peptides. This results in massive improvements in bioavailability and completely eliminates the stomach upset associated with cheap mineral salts.
## Joint Health and Cartilage Support
For athletes, bodybuilders, and aging individuals, joint health is paramount. Every time you lift heavy weights or run, you cause micro-trauma to your articular cartilage. To repair this damage, your body needs to synthesize new proteoglycans—the complex molecules that give cartilage its shock-absorbing properties.
Manganese is an absolute, non-negotiable requirement for this process. It serves as a cofactor for glycosyltransferases, the enzymes responsible for building chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. You can take all the glucosamine and chondroitin supplements in the world, but if you are deficient in manganese, your body lacks the enzymatic "workers" needed to assemble those raw materials into actual cartilage.
This is why high-end joint support formulas, such as NutraBio Extreme Joint Care, include TRAACS® Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate at clinical doses (typically around 10mg). It ensures that the rate-limiting step of cartilage repair is fully supported.
## Antioxidant Defense: The Role of MnSOD
Beyond joint health, manganese is the key to cellular longevity. Inside every cell are mitochondria, the powerhouses that generate ATP. A byproduct of this energy production is the superoxide radical, a highly destructive form of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage DNA and trigger cellular death.
The body's primary defense against this specific threat is an enzyme called Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD). As the name implies, this enzyme requires manganese to function. By supplementing with a highly bioavailable form like TRAACS® Manganese Bisglycinate, you ensure that your mitochondria have the nutritional ammunition they need to neutralize oxidative stress, which is especially elevated during intense physical training.
## Dosage and Label Transparency
When examining supplement labels, transparency is key. The Adequate Intake (AI) for manganese is 2.3mg for adult men and 1.8mg for adult women. However, therapeutic doses for joint repair often range from 10mg to 15mg.
For example, Thorne's Manganese Bisglycinate provides 15mg per capsule (652% of the Daily Value), explicitly stating the use of Albion’s TRAACS® material. Similarly, Vitacost offers a 10mg standalone Albion® Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate. These doses are safe and effective for targeted support, provided they are not taken in extreme excess, as manganese toxicity (though rare from oral supplements) can cause neurological issues.
## Potential Interactions and Considerations
While bisglycinate chelates are incredibly safe and well-tolerated, they are still biologically active compounds that can interact with medications. Data regarding glycinate chelates (often studied extensively in the context of magnesium bisglycinate) shows potential interactions with a variety of drugs.
For instance, mineral chelates should be spaced apart from certain antibiotics (like tetracyclines) to prevent any potential binding in the gut, even though true chelates are highly stable. Additionally, individuals taking medications like Adderall, Aspirin, Eliquis (apixaban), or Lexapro should consult their physician before adding high-dose mineral supplements to their regimen, as minerals can alter gastric pH, affect drug absorption rates, or interact with metabolic pathways. Always consult a healthcare provider to ensure that a manganese supplement fits safely into your specific health profile.