Micronutrients comprise essential vitamins, minerals,
and water- or fat-soluble elements, crucial for bodily functions. Vitamins aid
in energy production, bolster immune response, and facilitate blood clotting,
while minerals are pivotal for growth and development. Vitamins, synthesized by
plants and animals, are organic and susceptible to degradation from heat, acid,
or air. In contrast, minerals, of inorganic origin, derive from soil or water
and resist breakdown. Upon food ingestion, one assimilates either the vitamins
synthesized by organisms or the minerals they've absorbed. Both vitamins and
minerals are indispensable for growth, immune function, brain development, and
numerous other vital processes. Certain micronutrients, depending on their
functions, also contribute to disease prevention and combat.
Vitamins
and minerals categorize into four groups: water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble
vitamins, macrominerals, and trace minerals.
The water-soluble
vitamins — with some of their functions — are:
Nutrient
|
Sources |
RDA or AI (adults > 19 years) |
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) |
Whole grains, meat, fish |
1.1–1.2 mg |
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)| |
Organ meats, eggs, milk |
1.1–1.3 mg |
Vitamin B3 (niacin) |
Meat, salmon, leafy greens, beans |
14–16 mg |
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) |
Organ meats, mushrooms, tuna, avocado |
5 mg |
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)| |
Fish, milk, carrots, potatoes |
1.3 mg |
Vitamin B7 (biotin) |
Eggs, almonds, spinach, sweet potatoes |
30 mcg |
Vitamin B9 (folate) |
Beef, liver, black-eyed peas, spinach, asparagus |
400 mcg |
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)| |
Clams, fish, meat |
2.4 mcg |
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) |
Citrus fruits, bell peppers, Brussels
sprouts |
75–90 mg |
This table presents the nutrients, their food
sources, and the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) or adequate intakes (AI)
for adults over 19 years old.
The names and functions of fat-soluble vitamins
are:
The origins and
suggested daily intakes of fat-soluble vitamins are as follows:
Nutrient
|
Sources
|
RDA or AI (adults > 19 years) |
Vitamin A
|
Retinol (found in liver, dairy, fish),
carotenoids (present in sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach |
700–900 mcg |
Vitamin D
|
Sunlight, fish oil, milk |
600–800 IU |
Vitamin E
|
Sunflower seeds, wheat germ, almonds |
15 mg |
Vitamin K
|
Leafy greens, soybeans, pumpkin |
90–120 mcg |
This revision
maintains the content and structure of the original table while ensuring
clarity and coherence in presentation.
For optimal vitamin
and mineral intake, prioritize food sources over supplements, as they're deemed
safer and more effective. Further study is necessary to grasp the lasting
impacts of supplements and toxicities. Yet, individuals facing specific
nutrient deficits might find supervised supplement use beneficial. Seek
third-party certified products if considering micronutrient supplements, and
steer clear of those with excessively high doses unless advised by a healthcare
professional.
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