Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are essential nutrients required by the body in small quantities for various physiological functions.

Classification

• Vitamins: Organic compounds required in small amounts for various bodily functions.
  • Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K.
  • Water-soluble vitamins: B vitamins and C.
• Minerals: Inorganic elements required for various bodily functions.
  • Macro-minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride.
  • Micro-minerals (trace elements): Iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, fluoride, and molybdenum.

Functions

• Vitamins:
  • Energy production and metabolism.
  • Antioxidant functions.
  • Immune system function.
  • Blood clotting.
  • Bone health.
• Minerals:
  • Building and maintaining strong bones and teeth.
  • Maintaining fluid balance and nerve function.
  • Supporting immune function.
  • Antioxidant functions.
  • Enzyme function and activation.

Deficiency Diseases

• Vitamin deficiencies:
  • Scurvy (Vitamin C).
  • Rickets (Vitamin D).
  • Beriberi (Thiamine).
• Mineral deficiencies:
  • Anemia (Iron).
  • Goiter (Iodine).
  • Osteoporosis (Calcium and Vitamin D).

Food Sources

• Vitamins:
  • Animal sources: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
  • Plant sources: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
• Minerals:
  • Animal sources: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
  • Plant sources: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts.

Micronutrients

• Micronutrients are essential nutrients required by the body in small quantities for various physiological functions.

Classification

• Vitamins are organic compounds required in small amounts for various bodily functions, and can be classified into two categories:
  • Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K.
  • Water-soluble vitamins: B vitamins and C.
• Minerals are inorganic elements required for various bodily functions, and can be classified into two categories:
  • Macro-minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride.
  • Micro-minerals (trace elements): Iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, fluoride, and molybdenum.

Functions

Vitamins

• Essential for energy production and metabolism.
• Perform antioxidant functions.
• Involved in immune system function.
• Necessary for blood clotting.
• Important for bone health.

Minerals

• Crucial for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth.
• Necessary for maintaining fluid balance and nerve function.
• Support immune function.
• Perform antioxidant functions.
• Essential for enzyme function and activation.

Deficiency Diseases

• Vitamin deficiencies can lead to:
  • Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency).
  • Rickets (Vitamin D deficiency).
  • Beriberi (Thiamine deficiency).
• Mineral deficiencies can lead to:
  • Anemia (Iron deficiency).
  • Goiter (Iodine deficiency).
  • Osteoporosis (Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency).

Food Sources

• Vitamins can be obtained from:
  • Animal sources: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
  • Plant sources: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
• Minerals can be obtained from:
  • Animal sources: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
  • Plant sources: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts.

Learn about the essential micronutrients required by the body in small quantities for various physiological functions, including vitamins and minerals.