What are Micronutrients?

Micronutrients is an umbrella term encompassing a major group of nutrients that are essential for your body to function. You need the vitamins to carry out your body’s essential functions, like run the immune system, maintain fluid balance, maintain bone health, and regulate other processes.

Macronutrients vs Micronutrients

As previously mentioned, the term ‘micronutrients’ encompasses vitamins and minerals. Macronutrients, in comparison, is an umbrella term that encompasses proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Your body needs less micronutrients in comparison to macronutrients. That’s actually how the two umbrellas got their name in the first place.

Micronutrients can only be obtained by eating food which is why they are often referred to as essential nutrients. Most people’s biggest challenge when creating their diet is to find the right balance of vitamins and minerals which can also be thought of as achieving a balance between micro and macro nutrients.

Types of Micronutrients

Vitamins and minerals can be separated into four distinct categories: water soluble vitamins, macro minerals trace minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins. All vitamins and minerals are essentially absorbed in a similar manner to one another.

Water Soluble Vitamins

The majority of vitamins dissolve in water, which is why they are referred to as being water soluble. They do not store in your body in an easy manner and are typically flushed out via the urinary tract when over consumed.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

These vitamins do not dissolve in water, and are instead absorbed into the cells when consumed with fat sources.

Macro minerals

Your body requires large amounts of macro minerals to handle some of the major bodily functions.

Trace Minerals

Trace minerals are required in smaller amounts than macro minerals but still have an important role to play, like blood cell production, and an improved immune system functionality.