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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