NutriStack
Manganese and Vitamin C, timing-sensitive.
Vitamin C is documented to increase absorption of non-heme divalent metals via the DMT1 pathway that manganese also uses. Co-ingesting vitamin C with manganese may slightly increase manganese absorption. This is usually harmless and can even help correct a manganese shortfall, but it is worth noting for anyone trying to keep manganese intake low (for example, people with impaired manganese excretion such as significant liver dysfunction).
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Pair type
- Timing Sensitive
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Emerging
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Supplement
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Timing Sensitive · Emerging evidence
Timing Sensitive
What is happening. Vitamin C is documented to increase absorption of non-heme divalent metals via the DMT1 pathway that manganese also uses. Co-ingesting vitamin C with manganese may slightly increase manganese absorption. This is usually harmless and can even help correct a manganese shortfall, but it is worth noting for anyone trying to keep manganese intake low (for example, people with impaired manganese excretion such as significant liver dysfunction).
Mechanism. Manganese (Mn2+) is a substrate of the divalent metal transporter DMT1, the same brush-border transporter that absorbs non-heme iron. Ascorbic acid is well established to enhance non-heme iron uptake by reducing ferric to ferrous iron and supporting DMT1-mediated transport. Because manganese moves through the same divalent-cation absorption machinery, vitamin C taken with manganese may modestly increase manganese uptake.
Recommendation. No action needed for most people: taking manganese with vitamin C or a vitamin-C-rich meal is acceptable and may aid absorption. If you have liver disease or any reason to limit manganese exposure, avoid pairing manganese with high-dose vitamin C (1,000 mg or more) and keep manganese near the low end (1 to 2 mg).
Minimum separation. None required; co-administration is acceptable
Sources (2)
- Reviews of DMT1 as a mammalian transporter for multiple divalent metals, identifying Mn2+ and Fe2+ as shared substrates.
- Human absorption studies and trace-mineral reviews on ascorbic acid enhancement of non-heme iron uptake via DMT1.
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Manganese and Vitamin C are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
Check your full routine
One pair was the worked example. NutriStack runs every pair in your stack at once.
Drop in your supplements and prescriptions and the public database surfaces every interaction, synergy, timing rule, and contraindication, every one linked to its primary source.