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What Are Micronutrients?
“Micronutrient” is a general term for vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins and minerals can be classified asfat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins, macrominerals, and trace minerals.
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Fat-soluble vitamins do not dissolve in water and are best absorbed when taken along with asource of fat.
Excess nutrients are stored in the liver and fatty tissues in the body.
Each food group provides several different vitamins and minerals.
Eating a variety of foods is the best way to get all the micronutrients you need.
Micronutrients and select food sources of each are as follows.
The recommended daily intake amounts for adults are established by United States health agencies.
They are required for optimal nutrition, and they support many body structures and processes.
For example:
Each micronutrient has a different role in keeping the body growing and functioning properly.
Deficiency can throw off the balance and lead to a host of problems.
These make up your total daily calorie intake, whereas micronutrients are not included in it.
Micronutrient Deficiencies
Micronutrient deficiencies can cause visible and life-threatening health conditions.
Some micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent around the globe, especially in developing countries.
Eating a variety of foods each day is the best way to get all the micronutrients you need.
Amounts of micronutrients needed daily also vary by vitamin or mineral.
Chan School of Public Health.Vitamins and minerals.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2019 Mar 5.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin A and carotenoids.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Riboflavin.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Niacin.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Pantothenic acid.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Biotin.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Folate.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B12.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Phosphorus.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Potassium.
Harvard School of Public Health.Salt and sodium.
2023;6:100450. doi:10.1016/j.crfs.2023.100450
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Copper.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Chromium.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Fluoride.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Iodine.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Iron.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Manganese.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Molybdenum.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Selenium.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Zinc.
2017;2017:8416763. doi:10.1155/2017/8416763
World Health Organization.Micronutrients.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Micronutrient facts.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Iron-deficiency anemia.
World Health Organization.Vitamin A deficiency.
National Library of Medicine.Vitamin D deficiency.
American Thyroid Association.Iodine deficiency.
American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism (underactive).
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Nutritional recommendations and databases.
