Category: Micronutrients

Vitamins and minerals, also known as micronutrients, are vital for hundreds of critical bodily functions, including converting food into energy and supporting a healthy immune system. Understanding what are the four main functions of vitamins and minerals is key to maintaining optimal health and preventing disease.

Over 40% of children under 5 years old worldwide suffer from anemia, a condition often linked to micronutrient deficiencies. Both vitamins and minerals are critical micronutrients that the human body requires to function correctly, though in small amounts. This shared necessity is just one of several important similarities between these two fundamental nutrient classes.

While making up less than 0.01% of total body weight, essential trace elements play a foundational role in human physiology, acting as critical components of countless enzymes and hormones. A sufficient supply of these micronutrients is absolutely vital for maintaining overall health and preventing a wide range of diseases.

An estimated 50 to 120 milligrams of copper are found in the average adult body, highlighting its critical importance despite being a trace mineral. The main role of copper in the body is to act as a crucial cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in a wide array of vital physiological functions.

It’s a little-known fact that your body doesn't produce vitamin B12 on its own. In reality, the essential nutrient that keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy is made by certain bacteria and archaea, not by human cells.

Iron is the most abundant micromineral in the human body, with an average adult possessing 3 to 5 grams, most of which is involved in blood production. This vital element is fundamental to life, playing a critical role far beyond its minuscule total body weight.

The human body requires only minute quantities of certain elements, yet these "trace minerals" are indispensable for countless physiological processes. Unlike major minerals needed in larger quantities, trace minerals are required in amounts of less than 100 milligrams per day.

Recent research identified over 80 specific iodinated proteins in various plant species, a discovery that fundamentally redefines our understanding of what is the function of iodine in plants. This reveals iodine is not just a passive element but an active participant in critical biological processes, including metabolic regulation and stress defense.

The average adult body contains a surprisingly small amount of copper, typically ranging from just 50 to 120 mg, yet this essential trace mineral is critical for numerous physiological functions. So, what role does copper play in your body and overall health?

According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency affects over 1.2 billion people globally, highlighting its widespread impact on overall health, including the little-known connection between iron and bone strength.