There is nothing greater than living in the modern world! While we have the benefits of our modern medical science and technology on our side, lots of people out there feel that our diet is lacking.
The food production has been modernized in order for us to have access to great and tasty food along with the micronutrients.
But not all of us make a good use of it. To top it off, not all of our food sources make sure that we will get all the micronutrients as well as the macronutrients that our body needs.
Food, through preparation, cooking methods or transportation, ends up losing their nutrients and it becomes less nutritious when it comes to us eating them.
But What Are Micronutrients?
Micronutrients are nothing but what we commonly refer as vitamins and minerals. These micronutrients include minerals such as
- Selenium
- Fluoride
- Sodium
- Iodine
- Zinc
- Copper
They include vitamins as well such as
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- B-complex vitamins
- Vitamin D, E and K
As mentioned, these micronutrients are different from the macronutrients like protein, carbohydrate as well as fat. These are called “micro”-nutrients because our body needs only very small quantities of these nutrients for the survival.
However, if the body doesn’t get the small quantities of micronutrients that it needs, we might as well face serious health issues.
Why Do We Need It?
They are important to the proper functioning of all of our body systems. For instance, sodium – responsible for maintaining the proper fluid balance in our body; it also helps the fluids pass through our cell walls and helps in regulating appropriate pH levels in the blood.
Here are some of the ways through which these help micro-nutrients maintain our body’s systems
Manganese – It promotes bone formation and energy production, and it helps your body metabolize the protein, macronutrients, carbohydrate as well as fat.
Magnesium – It helps your heart to maintain its normal rhythm. Magnesium will also help your body to convert energy from glucose (blood sugar), and it is vital for the metabolization of the micronutrients vitamin C and calcium.
Iron – It helps our body produce lymphocytes and red blood cells.
Iodine – It helps your thyroid gland develop as well as function. Iodine also helps your body to metabolize fats, and it promotes your growth and energy production.
Chloride – It helps regulate electrolytes and water within your cells, and helping to maintain appropriate cellular pH.
Types:
Vitamins are available in 2 forms. They are
- Water-soluble vitamins: They are easily lost through our bodily fluids and they must be replaced each and every day. Water-soluble vitamins also include the vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins. The 2 of the most well-known B-complex vitamins are Vitamins B6 and B12.
Since some are not lost as easily as the water-soluble counterparts, here is the role of
- Fat-soluble vitamins: They tend to accumulate within our body and they are not needed on a daily basis. Here are some fat-soluble vitamins for you – Vitamin A, D, E and K.
Sources:
No one can deny the fact that these micro health boosters play a crucial role in the healthy growth as well as development. For example, Calcium contributes to the proper development of teeth and bones.
Some micronutrients, like selenium, zinc, and phosphorus play a vital role in the activation and regulation of other micronutrients.
Who Needs It More?
- People with special micronutrient needs
- Pregnant and nursing women
- People with Malabsorptive Digestive Disorders
- People who are on Antibiotics
- Ex-Alcoholics
- Ex-Vegetarians and Vegans
- People with a current or former eating disorder
For those who are interested in creating a micronutrient healthy diet, you ought to focus on eating the following foods everyday
- Organic fruits and vegetables
- Fish
- Organic Meat
- Nuts
- Olive oil
Proper intake of minerals and vitamins can mean the difference between a productive, healthy life, and a life which is fraught with illness. Micronutrient deficiencies, which affect over 2 billion people worldwide today.
They are the leading cause of all the intellectual disability in children which is due to iodine deficiency, the preventable blindness which is due to vitamin A deficiency, severe and often fatal birth defects known as neural tube defects which are due to folic acid deficiency and maternal death during childbirth which is due to iron deficiency.
Beyond the huge health implications, the micronutrient malnutrition has an economic impact as well.
