Micronutrients are more important than many people might realize.  They play a crucial role in maintaining our body's health and overall wellness.  According to science, micronutrients protect us from diseases and help our bodies function properly.

Also known as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, they are also shown to help slow down the aging process.  Additionally, micronutrients help regulate the body's metabolic rate, as well as improve bone density.  

As important as micronutrients are to the human body, the body cannot make them so they must be ingested through diet and supplementation.  A lack of micronutrients in the body can lead to a long list of diseases and disorders according to the World Health Organization.

Let us start by looking at the different types of micronutrients to determine why micronutrients are important.

Types of Micronutrients

There are basically three types of micronutrients.  As previously mentioned, they include vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  Vitamins, are chemical elements found in food.  Once consumed, they work together to perform a particular function in the body.

Vitamins can be classified into two types: Fat soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, D, E and K.  Whereas water-soluble vitamins include Vitamin C, Folic acid, biotin and the B complexes and are not stored in the body—meaning they must be replaced each day.

All the above-mentioned types of vitamins work together in the body to support all of the body's systems, including but not limited to bones, the heart, the eyes and teeth.  

Minerals are classified into two types: microminerals and macrominerals.  Microminerals include chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.  Macrominerals include calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulfur.

The next type of micronutrient is antioxidants.  Antioxidants help in the elimination of toxins and other harmful substances from the body.  This, in turn, also allows the body to function properly. Antioxidants also help protect the body from different types of diseases.  Types of antioxidants include Alpha Lipoic Acid, Astaxanthin, Lutein, Pycnogenol, Resveratrol.  Antioxidants can be hugely beneficial for anti-aging, eye health, cholesterol management and are an excellent natural anti-inflammatory.

Now, let us take a deeper look into how micronutrients affect our bodies.

Importance: The Effect Of Micronutrients In Our Bodies

As previously mentioned, micronutrients are vital to the proper functioning of our bodies. They can be found in different food sources. They can be found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Unfortunately, however, the levels of nutrients found in food today is drastically less than those available from food sources 40 years ago, which underlines the need for vitamin and mineral supplementation.[1]

Now, let us take a look at how the most popular micronutrient elements affect our bodies in detail.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is known to support eye health and help the body to maintain healthy vision. However, this vitamin is known to help in other ways as well.  Vitamin A, when provided in an absorbable format and paired with other balanced vitamins and minerals, supports healthy bones, skin and immune function.  A deficiency of Vitamin A in the diet can have huge effects on the body such as blindness, respiratory issues and digestive symptoms.  

Iron

Iron is a vital component of proper cognitive function, as well as normal body functioning. Iron helps in the production of hemoglobin, which is used in the transportation of red blood cells. This, then, ensures that your brain, muscles and other vital organs in your body receive oxygen.

Iron is also used as a supplement for pregnant women.  This micronutrient helps lower mortality rates by ensuring proper development of the baby.  One of the number one cause of maternal mortality deaths is a hemorrhage. Hemorrhages can typically be averted by enough production of red blood cells due to iron.

Zinc

Zinc is an important element that promotes and boosts immunity.  An immune system that is properly functioning can reduce chances of contracting diseases. Moreover, it aids in the development of the nervous system.  Zinc also provides a balancing effect when paired with copper. 

Too much copper can manifest as a number of unpleasant health problems, ranging from chronic fatigue to nausea and even mood disorders.^[2] And of course, such an imbalance also prevents proper bone remodeling.

If your diet includes abundant zinc, however, and you are eating moderate amounts of high-quality protein, excessive copper can be metabolized and excreted via the bile.^[3]

Manganese

Manganese is known for boosting energy levels considerably.  Moreover, it helps in the proper formation and development of bones and teeth.  Hence, it is essential that pregnant women and aging people increase their intake of this micronutrient.

Additionally, if you are allergic to milk, try eating foods rich in manganese as well.  This is very crucial if you are a woman.  It can help reduce the chance of developing osteoporosis later in life. [4]

Magnesium

Magnesium aids in the conversion of glucose for the production of energy. Hence, it is also a great source of energy. Additionally, it helps the heart perform at its best.

Iodine

Iodine plays multiple functions in the body. It helps in energy production, as well as promote proper development and growth.  Hence, it is a micronutrient that is very beneficial to children, babies and even a developing fetus.

According to The United Call To Action, Iodine also aids in brain development. If taken while pregnant, it can help an unborn baby develop cognitively and physically.  It also helps in metabolizing fats in the body, which is essential if you want to lose weight.  Additionally, this micronutrient is important for thyroid health.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been linked to its ability to fight or prevent cancer and mood disorders such as depression.  It is also essential for calcium uptake. Vitamin D is also known to help in the development of bones, as well as a promote healthy metabolism.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential to virtually every process in the body.  Individuals with high amounts of vitamin K bleed less.  This is due to the fact that this vitamin helps in blood clotting.  Also, it helps protect the body against certain diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers.

It may seem overwhelming to consider all the vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants (micronutrients) the body needs to stay healthy and prevent disease.  Clinical micronutrient formulations like Hardy Nutritionals^® Daily Essential Nutrients provide scientifically-backed therapeutic levels of each of the essential nutrients in a highly bioavailable format.

Learn more at http://try.hardynutritionals.com.

Sources:

[1] www.scientificamerican.com/article/soil-depletion-and-nutrition-loss/

[2] Ross, Julia, The Mood Cure. Viking Penguin, New York, NY, 2002. p. 303

[3] Pfeiffer, Carl C., PhD., M.D., Mental and Elemental Nutrients, Keats Publishing Inc., New Canaan, CT, 1975, p 222

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8409100

About Hardy Nutritionals®

Hardy Nutritionals® multivitamin-mineral products are powered by our proprietary NutraTek™ mineral delivery technology, which combines each mineral with specialized organic molecules—just like nature—to optimize absorption and distribution to body cells. Our flagship supplement, Daily Essential Nutrients, is widely considered to be the most research-backed micronutrient treatment.