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What are Micronutrients?
Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs in small amounts to function properly. These nutrients are essential for growth, development, and overall health. Some of the most common micronutrients include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and magnesium.
While the body only needs small amounts of these nutrients, they are essential for a wide variety of health functions. For example, vitamin A is important for vision, vitamin C is important for immune health, and magnesium is important for nerve and muscle function.
Most people get the majority of the micronutrients they need from their diet. However, there are some cases where people may need to take supplements to ensure they are getting enough of these essential nutrients. For example, pregnant women and people who don’t eat a lot of fruits and vegetables may need to take a vitamin C supplement.
Overall, micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs in small amounts to function properly. These nutrients are essential for growth, development, and overall health.
Micronutrients – An Overview
A micronutrient is a mineral or vitamin that is required in small quantities for human health. Micronutrients are essential for the body to function properly and can be found in both plant and animal-based foods.
Some of the most important micronutrients include iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, and vitamin A, B, C, and D. These nutrients are essential for a variety of bodily processes, including energy production, immune function, and reproduction.
A diet that is rich in micronutrients can help protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. In addition, micronutrients are important for pregnant women and young children, as they are essential for normal growth and development.
While a balanced diet provides most people with all the micronutrients they need, some people may require supplements if they are not able to meet their needs through food. Supplements can be especially important for people who do not eat a varied and balanced diet.
Further Categorisation of Micronutrients
There are six classes of essential micronutrients: vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, water-soluble vitamins and lipids.
Vitamins are organic compounds that are needed in small amounts for healthy growth and development.
Minerals are inorganic elements that are essential for human health.
Fatty acids are chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms that are necessary for human health.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and are essential for human health.
Water-soluble vitamins are a class of vitamins that dissolve in water.
Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, and fat-soluble vitamins.
Micronutrients in Plants
There are many different micronutrients that are important for plants. These include iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, and molybdenum. Each of these nutrients is necessary for plants to grow and thrive. They are involved in a variety of processes, such as photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and enzyme activity.
Iron is necessary for the production of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is what makes plants green and is responsible for photosynthesis. Zinc is important for the growth of new cells and the production of proteins. It is also involved in the process of nitrogen fixation, which is the conversion of nitrogen gas into a form that plants can use.
Manganese is necessary for the production of enzymes that are involved in photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. Copper is necessary for the production of enzymes that are involved in the production of energy in plants. Boron is necessary for the production of pollen and the growth of new cells. Molybdenum is necessary for the production of enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of proteins.
