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    Home»Nutrition»Micronutrients: Functions, Sources And Daily Intake
    Nutrition

    Micronutrients: Functions, Sources And Daily Intake

    SanjeetBy SanjeetJuly 16, 2020Updated:April 5, 2021No Comments7 Mins Read
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    Micronutrients are the essential vitamins and minerals required by any living entity, it supplements the major nutrients like protein, carbohydrate, and fat and helps in regulating mental and physical wellbeing of any living organism. The essential vitamins are Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and K, and minerals are calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, chloride, sodium, potassium, sulphur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, iodine, fluoride, and selenium.

    Types of Micronutrients

    Water-Soluble Vitamins:

    These are the vitamins that dissolve in water and are easily flushed out from the body in case of excessive consumption. These vitamins are difficult to store in the body for later use, hence regular consumption of the required amount is needed to maintain its balance in the body. The water-soluble vitamins along with their functions are provided in Table 1.

    Table 1

    Vitamins
    Functions
    Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Converts Nutrients into Energy
    Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Essential for cell function and metabolism
    Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Converts food into energy
    Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Essential for the fatty acid synthesis
    Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Releases sugar from stored carbohydrates, and create red blood cells
    Vitamin B7 (Biotin) Metabolism of fatty acid, amino acids and glucose
    Vitamin B9 (Folate) Important for cell division
    Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Necessary for red blood cell formation, neural system, and brain functioning
    Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Formulation of neurotransmitters, and collagen

    The above table illustrates the necessary function of water-soluble. The functions mentioned are highly important for maintaining individual health and require regular consumption of vitamin-rich diets. The source of these vitamins and their recommended daily allowances (RDA) for an adult are summarised in Table 2.

    Table 2

    Vitamins
    Source
    RDA for an Adult
    Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Whole grain, fish, meat, beef, liver, dried milk, nuts, oats, oranges, pork, eggs, seeds, legumes, peas, and yeast 1.1-1.2 mg
    Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Organ meats, egg, milk, asparagus, broccoli, and spinach 1.1-1.3 mg
    Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Meat, salmon, leafy veggies, beans, fish, chicken, turkey, pork, beef, mushrooms, brown rice, peanuts, avocados, green peas, 14-16 mg
    Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Organ meats, mushrooms, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, dairy products, tuna, avocado 5 mg
    Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Fish, pork, milk, whole grain cereals, eggs, veggies, soybeans, carrots, potatoes 1.3 mg
    Vitamin B7 (Biotin) Egg, almonds, spinach, sweet potatoes, walnuts, peanuts, cereals, milk, salmon, pork, sardines, mushroom, cauliflower 30 mcg
    Vitamin B9 (Folate) Beef, liver, black-eyed peas, spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, romaine lettuce, brussels sprouts, broccoli, nuts beans, whole grain, seafood 400 mg
    Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Clams, fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, milk products 2.4 mcg
    Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Citrus fruits, bell peppers, brussels sprouts, spinach, cabbage, tomato juice, broccoli 75-90 mg

    Fat-Soluble Vitamins:

    Apart from water-soluble nutrients, the human body requires some other vitamins which are soluble in fat rather than water. These nutrients are stored in the liver and fatty tissues for future use. The best way to consume these nutrients is along with fat-rich food to have desired effects. Some of the fat-soluble nutrients along with their essential functions are provided in Table 3.

    Table 3

    Vitamins
    Functions
    Vitamin A (Retinol) Essential for healthy eyesight and organ functions
    Vitamin D (Ergocalciferol) Boost immunity and acts as a catalyst for calcium absorption and bone growth
    Vitamin E (Tocopherol) Supports immune functionality and protects cell damage
    Vitamin K  Blood clotting and bone development

    The above table illustrates the necessary function of fat-soluble. These nutrients are stored in our fatty tissues and liver for future consumption. To avoid any detrimental effects due to long exposure we need to consume the nutrients in recommended daily allowances (RDA) limits as prescribed in Table 4 for an adult.

    Table 4

    Vitamins
    Source
    RDA for an Adult
    Vitamin A (Retinol) Liver, dairy, fish, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, dairy products, broccoli 700-900 mcg
    Vitamin D (Ergocalciferol) Salmon, tuna, mackerel, sunlight, fish oil, milk, cheese 600-800 IU
    Vitamin E (Tocopherol) Sunflower seeds, wheat germs, nuts, spinach, broccoli 15 mg
    Vitamin K  Leafy veggies, Fish, liver, meat, eggs, soybean, pumpkin, brussels sprout, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower 90-120 mcg

    Macro Minerals:

    The nutrients are required in a relatively larger quantity than other minerals and lesser quantity than macronutrients. Every mineral has a very specific role to perform in the proper functioning of the body. Any sort of imbalance may lead to a life-threatening health condition. The essential macrominerals and their specific functions are provided in Table 5.

    Table 5

    Minerals
    Functions
    Sodium Act as an electrolyte, fluid balance, maintains blood pressure
    Magnesium Regulates blood pressure
    Phosphorus Bone and cell membrane structure
    Sulphur Quintessential to every living tissue, present in amino acids like methionine and cysteine 
    Chloride Fluid balance and regulates digestive juice formation 
    Potassium Act as an electrolyte, fluid balance, helps in nerve transmission and muscle function
    Calcium Functioning of bone and teeth, muscle function, blood vessel contraction

    The above table illustrates the essential functionality of macro minerals. These nutrients should be part of our daily diet otherwise we need to have supplements for the proper functioning of the body. The recommended daily allowance of macro minerals is provided in Table 6.

    Table 6

    Minerals
    Source
    RDA for an Adult
    Sodium Salt, canned and processed food, sunflower seed, clams 2300 mg
    Magnesium Almond, cashew, black beans, avocado, whole grain, fatty fish, legumes 310-420 mg
    Phosphorus Salmon, yogurt, milk and milk products, meat, beans, lentils nuts 700 mg
    Sulphur Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, legumes, onion, garlic, sprouts, egg No Consensus
    Chloride Seaweed, salt, celery, rye, tomatoes, lettuce, olives 1800-2300 mg
    Potassium Lentils, banana, oranges, grapefruit, apricots, prunes, raisins, dates, mushroom, spinach, broccoli 4700 mg
    Calcium Milk products, cheese, leafy veggies, soybeans, tofu, sardines, pilchards 2000-2500 mg

    Trace Minerals:

    In addition to macro minerals and essentials vitamins, we need some of the minerals in trace amounts. Although the required dosages are very minimal, these are very essential for the proper functioning of the body and mind. Some of the trace minerals along with their main functionality in Table 7.

    Table 7

    Minerals
    Functions
    Fluoride Essential for bone and teeth development
    Manganese Helps in protein, carbohydrates, and fat metabolism
    Iron Oxygen supply to muscles, and formulation of certain hormones
    Copper Brain and nervous system functioning
    Zinc Normal growth, immune functioning and wound healing 
    Selenium Essential for thyroid health and reproduction
    Iodine Thyroid regulation

    Above table 7 summarises the functioning of trace minerals. These minerals help maintain the normal functioning of the body. Owing to the trace amount of requirement, people should not ignore its importance in maintaining mental and physical health. The recommended daily intake of these trace minerals for an adult is summarised in Table 8.

    Table 8

    Minerals
    Source
    RDA for an Adult
    Fluoride Fruit juice, crab, water, shellfish, grapes 3-4 mg
    Manganese Pineapple, peanuts, whole grains, clams, oysters, mussels, nuts, soybeans, legumes, rice, leafy vegetables, coffee, tea, black pepper 1.8-2.8 mg
    Iron Oyster, white beans, spinach, lentils, tofu, cashews, whole grain 8-18 mg
    Copper Liver, crab, oyster, mushrooms, lobster, leafy veggies, nuts 900 mcg
    Zinc Whole grain, oyster, crab, red meat, poultry, nuts, chickpeas 8-11 mg
    Selenium Nuts, sardines, ham, pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish, and eggs 55 mcg
    Iodine Seaweed, shrimp, fish, Cod, dairy products,  wholegrain 150 mcg

    The name micronutrients itself indicates the required intake of these nutrients. However, its importance should not be overlooked as these nutrients have a very important role in the proper functioning of the body. We should include nutrient-rich food in our diet with at least five servings of veggies and fruits as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

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    Sanjeet
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    Sanjeet Singh is writer at Home Healthy Recipes focusing on food, health, wellness, fitness, and lifestyle.

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