Vitamins and minerals are essential substances that our bodies require in trace amounts to function optimally. While they may be small in quantity, they play a vital role in maintaining good health and preventing various ailments. Many people refer to these substances as “micronutrients,” but what exactly does this term mean? And why are they called micronutrients?
Micronutrients are nutrients that the body requires in very small quantities – typically less than 100mg per day – compared to macronutrients which are required in larger quantities such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. These nutrients include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes among other organic compounds.
The Origins of Micronutrient Terminology
The term “micronutrient” wasn’t introduced until the mid-twentieth century when scientists began discovering how certain elements were required for proper plant growth. Soon after it was recognized how beneficial these same trace elements were for human health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the concept of micronutrition at a conference it hosted back on October 22-24th all the way back in 1945. They concluded that every member state would have scientific institutions responsible for providing nutrient recommendations while working with food industries nationwide for healthier human nutrition.
Why micronutrients so important?
Despite being present only in very minute amounts within bodily tissues and fluids; micronutrients perform several critical functions within humans’ physiology supporting metabolic processes necessary for survival and maintenance of health.
For instance,
1) Some vitamins offer aid as cofactors or coenzymes enhancing enzymatic activity necessary during metabolic pathways.
2) Minerals form a part of bone structure or its quality control regulation
3) Others nutraceuticals like Polyphenols/ flavonoids confer inherent anti-inflammatory capacities counteracting oxidative stress effects associated with aging while reducing risks relating conditions such as cancer incidence , cardiovascular diseases , diabetes etc .
Without adequate levels of micronutrients, humans are likely to suffer from malnutrition which can lead to deficiencies that manifest complex healthcare challenges such as anaemia from low levels of folate and or vitamin B12 along with obesity type 2 diabetes commonly associated with trace minerals imbalances ( Chromium , Zinc etc.).
Types of Micronutrients:
There are two main types of micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins: Vitamins are organic compounds responsible for facilitating specific metabolic functions within the body necessary in sustaining biological processes related to energy production, growth and development. These substances cannot be produced by the body itself so they must be obtained through diet or taken via supplements.
The range includes Fat soluble dietary essentials such as vitamins A , D,E,K alongside Water based vital nutraceuticals including Thiamine( B1) Pyridoxin(B6), folic acid and biotin amongst several others .
Minerals: Minerals on the other hand fall into two categories both essential i.e. Macrominerals & Trace elements- Elements required in amounts ≤100mg / day:
Macrominerals like calcium, sodium/potassium magnesium among a few offer structural aids at different tissue levels ranging cellular membranes collagen materials enveloping bone structures while also influencing electrolyte balancing mechanisms Several macrominerals happen to act like a stimuli towards nervous system activity too
Trace mineral groupings& examples include Iron aiding blood cell formation whilst Zinc helps boost immune system functioning..
Wrapping it Up:
In conclusion, micronutrient supplementation is an important aspect of overall human nutrition needed in overcoming various nutrient deficiencies particularly amongst subgroups where undernourishment issues surface most prevalent across developing countries . These critical nutrients help support and maintain healthy bodily function such as maintaining proper hormonal homeostasis controlling immunoresponse mechanisms considering its dependent factors scattered across lifestyle choices any medical conditions one may struggle with presently. Therefore understanding their role relative importance when included in our diet or taken as a nutritional supplement is vital in ensuring healthier outcomes overall.
Vitamins and minerals are essential substances that our bodies require in trace amounts to function optimally. While they may be small in quantity, they play a vital role in maintaining good health and preventing various ailments.
Many people refer to these substances as “micronutrients,” but what exactly does this term mean? And why are they called micronutrients?
Micronutrients are nutrients that the body requires in very small quantities – typically less than 100mg per day – compared to macronutrients which are required in larger quantities such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. These nutrients include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes among other organic compounds.
The Origins of Micronutrient Terminology
The term “micronutrient” wasn’t introduced until the mid-twentieth century when scientists began discovering how certain elements were required for proper plant growth. Soon after it was recognized how beneficial these same trace elements were for human health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the concept of micronutrition at a conference it hosted back on October 22-24th all the way back in 1945. This organization proposed every member state would have scientific institutions responsible for providing nutrient recommendations while working with food industries nationwide for healthier human nutrition.
Why Micronutrients Are So Important
Despite being present only in very minute amounts within bodily tissues and fluids; micronutrients perform several critical functions within humans’ physiology supporting metabolic processes necessary for survival and maintenance of health.
For instance:
1) Some vitamins offer aid as cofactors or coenzymes enhancing enzymatic activity necessary during metabolic pathways.
2) Minerals form a part of bone structure or its quality control regulation
3) Others nutraceuticals like Polyphenols/ flavonoids confer inherent anti-inflammatory capacities counteracting oxidative stress effects associated with aging while reducing risks relating conditions such as cancer incidence , cardiovascular diseases , diabetes etc .
Without adequate levels of micronutrients, humans are likely to suffer from malnutrition which can lead to deficiencies that manifest complex healthcare challenges such as anaemia from low levels of folate and or vitamin B12 along with obesity type 2 diabetes commonly associated with trace minerals imbalances ( Chromium , Zinc etc.).
Types of Micronutrients:
There are two main types of micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins: Vitamins are organic compounds responsible for facilitating specific metabolic functions within the body necessary in sustaining biological processes related to energy production, growth and development. These substances cannot be produced by the body itself so they must be obtained through diet or taken via supplements.
The range includes Fat soluble dietary essentials such as vitamins A , D,E,K alongside Water based vital nutraceuticals including Thiamine( B1) Pyridoxin(B6), folic acid and biotin amongst several others .
Minerals: Minerals on the other hand fall into two categories both essential i.e. Macrominerals & Trace elements- Elements required in amounts ≤100mg / day:
• Macrominerals like calcium, sodium/potassium magnesium among a few offer structural aids at different tissue levels ranging cellular membranes collagen materials enveloping bone structures while also influencing electrolyte balancing mechanisms Several macrominerals happen to act like a stimuli towards nervous system activity too
• Trace mineral groupings& examples include Iron aiding blood cell formation whilst Zinc helps boost immune system functioning..
Wrapping it Up:
In conclusion, micronutrient supplementation is an important aspect of overall human nutrition needed in overcoming various nutrient deficiencies particularly amongst subgroups where undernourishment issues surface most prevalent across developing countries . These critical nutrients help support and maintain healthy bodily function such as maintaining proper hormonal homeostasis controlling immunoresponse mechanisms considering its dependent factors scattered across lifestyle choices any medical conditions one may struggle with presently. Therefore understanding their role relative importance when included in our diet or taken as a nutritional supplement is vital in ensuring healthier outcomes overall.