Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Semester: 7
Section: A
Micronutrients are one of the major groups of nutrients our body needs. The term
micronutrients are used to describe vitamins and minerals in general. These are essential
elements required by organisms in small quantities throughout life to compose a range of
physiological functions to maintain health. Macronutrients, on the other hand, include
proteins, fats and carbohydrates. As humans we must obtain micronutrients from food since
our body cannot produce vitamins and mineral. Micronutrients are also referred to as
essential nutrients. The micronutrient content of each food is different, so it’s best to eat a
variety of foods to get enough vitamins and minerals. For human nutrition, micronutrient
requirements are in amounts generally less than 100 milligrams per day,
whereas macronutrients are required in gram quantities daily.
VITAMINS:
Vitamins are organic compounds made by plants and animals which can be broken down
by heat, acid or air. Vitamins are needed in small quantities to sustain life. Most vitamins
need to come from food because the human body either does not produce enough of them,
or it does not produce any at all. Each organism has different vitamin requirements. There
are 13 known vitamins. Vitamins always contain carbon, so they are described as organic.
Food is the best source of vitamins, but some people may be advised by a physician to use
supplements. Vitamins are mainly of two types:
1. Water soluble
2. Fat soluble.
1. Water soluble vitamins: Water-soluble vitamins do not stay in the body for long. The
body cannot store them and because of this, water-soluble vitamins need to be
replaced more often than fat-soluble ones.
2. Fat soluble vitamins: Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the fatty tissues of the body
and the liver. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. These are easier to store than
water-soluble vitamins, and they can stay in the body as reserves for days, and
sometimes months.
MINERALS:
Minerals play an important role in growth, bone health, fluid balance and several other
processes. The major minerals, which are used and stored in large quantities in the body, are
calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulfur. The
trace minerals are just as vital to our health as the major minerals, but we don't need large
amounts. Minerals in this category include chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron,
manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.
Manganese Helps form bones Almonds, brown rice, impaired Parkinson disease,
and helps leafy green vegetables, reproductive
metabolize amino fruits, dark chocolate, function, skeletal
acids, cholesterol, oatmeal and bran abnormalities,
and carbohydrates. cereals, beans, impaired glucose
legumes tolerance, and
altered
carbohydrate and
lipid metabolism