Understanding Your Nutrition Diet: Why Are Vitamins and Minerals Sometimes Called Micronutrients?

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2 billion people worldwide are affected by micronutrient deficiencies, a condition also known as 'hidden hunger'. This global health issue highlights the critical importance of understanding why are vitamins and minerals sometimes called micronutrients? and how they impact our overall health, despite being required in very small amounts.

Quick Summary

Vitamins and minerals are classified as micronutrients because the body only requires them in tiny quantities, unlike macronutrients. Despite the small dose, they perform hundreds of critical roles essential for growth, metabolism, and immune function.

Key Points

Required in Tiny Amounts: Vitamins and minerals are called micronutrients because the body needs them in very small quantities, unlike macronutrients like proteins, carbs, and fats.
Essential for Function: Despite small doses, micronutrients are critical for hundreds of bodily processes, including energy production, immune response, and growth.
Two Nutrient Categories: All nutrients fall into two groups: macronutrients (needed in large amounts for energy) and micronutrients (needed in small amounts for regulation and catalysis).
Deficiency Leads to Disease: Insufficient intake of micronutrients can cause severe health problems, like anemia from iron deficiency or scurvy from lack of vitamin C.
Variety is Key: The best way to ensure adequate micronutrient intake is to eat a balanced, varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole foods.
Balance is Important: Both too little (deficiency) and too much (toxicity, especially with fat-soluble vitamins) can be harmful, so moderation is key.

The 'Micro' in Micronutrients

In the world of nutrition, all nutrients are typically divided into two main categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. The key difference lies in the quantity the body needs to function properly. Macronutrients—proteins, carbohydrates, and fats—are required in large, or 'macro,' amounts to provide energy and structural building blocks. In contrast, vitamins and minerals are needed in much smaller, or 'micro,' quantities, which is precisely why they are sometimes called micronutrients.

For example, while you measure your daily intake of protein or carbs in grams, the amount of a mineral like iodine or a vitamin like B12 is typically measured in milligrams (mg) or even micrograms (mcg). A thimble-full could contain all the trace minerals your body needs. Despite these minuscule amounts, their impact on health is significant and their absence can lead to severe health problems.

The Critical Functions of Micronutrients

Even though they are small, micronutrients are involved in virtually every bodily process. They act as essential cogs in the machinery of our metabolism, supporting everything from energy production to immune system function. A deficiency in just one of these can disrupt the body's delicate balance and lead to serious disease.

Vitamins: Organic Catalysts for the Body

Vitamins are organic compounds made by plants and animals that our body cannot produce on its own in sufficient quantities. They are classified into two groups based on how they are stored and processed:

Water-soluble vitamins: These include vitamin C and all the B-complex vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12). The body does not store these vitamins well, so a fresh supply from your diet is needed regularly. Many B vitamins function as coenzymes, helping to convert food into energy.
Fat-soluble vitamins: These include vitamins A, D, E, and K. They dissolve in fat and are stored in the body's liver and fatty tissues. They are absorbed more easily when consumed with a source of fat. Vitamin D, for instance, promotes bone health and immune function.

Minerals: Inorganic Powerhouses

Minerals are inorganic elements found in soil and water that are absorbed by plants or consumed by animals. They play a vital role in building bones, maintaining fluid balance, and facilitating nerve function. Minerals are further categorized into macrominerals (needed in larger amounts, e.g., calcium, magnesium, potassium) and trace minerals (needed in smaller amounts, e.g., iron, zinc, iodine).

Calcium: Critical for strong bones and teeth.
Iron: A key component of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood.
Zinc: Supports immune function and wound healing.
Iodine: Essential for proper thyroid function.

Comparison: Macronutrients vs. Micronutrients

To fully appreciate the role of micronutrients, it's helpful to compare them directly with their macronutrient counterparts.


Feature	Micronutrients (Vitamins & Minerals)	Macronutrients (Carbs, Proteins, Fats)
Quantity Needed	Very minute quantities (milligrams or micrograms)	Large quantities (grams)
Primary Function	Regulate and facilitate metabolic processes, act as coenzymes and cofactors, build tissue	Provide energy for the body, serve as building blocks for cells and tissues
Consequences of Deficiency	Can lead to specific diseases like scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), rickets (vitamin D), or anemia (iron/B12)	Can lead to malnutrition and loss of muscle mass
Sources	Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, eggs, fortified foods	Cereals, legumes, meat, fish, oils
Energy Provided	No	Yes

Deficiency vs. Toxicity: A Delicate Balance

Getting the right amount of micronutrients is a balancing act. Both deficiencies and excessive intake can cause health problems.

Deficiency: Inadequate intake can lead to various issues, from visible conditions like blindness due to vitamin A deficiency to subtle reductions in energy and mental clarity. This is often called "hidden hunger" because the symptoms can be less obvious than energy-protein malnutrition. Vulnerable groups include pregnant women and children.
Toxicity: Excessive intake, particularly of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) which are stored in the body, can be harmful. It's far more common from supplement misuse than from food sources.

Conclusion: Sourcing Your Micronutrients

Your body relies on a constant, varied supply of vitamins and minerals to perform countless essential functions. While you only need tiny amounts, their cumulative effect on your health is enormous. The best way to ensure you are getting an adequate intake of all micronutrients is through a balanced diet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Fortified foods and supplements can be helpful in specific cases, but should be approached with guidance from a healthcare professional. Understanding why these vital substances are called micronutrients reinforces their immense importance in maintaining overall health and well-being.

For more information on the specific roles of micronutrients, explore resources from organizations like the National Institutes of Health.(https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx)

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the quantity required by the body. Macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) are needed in large amounts to provide energy. Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are required in very small quantities to regulate metabolic processes.

Deficiencies can lead to a range of health issues depending on the specific nutrient. Examples include anemia (iron), rickets (vitamin D), and night blindness (vitamin A). It can also cause less obvious symptoms like fatigue and impaired immune function.

For most healthy adults, a balanced and varied diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods is sufficient to meet micronutrient needs. However, some groups or individuals with dietary restrictions may require supplements.

Yes, excessive intake of certain micronutrients, particularly through high-dose supplements, can be harmful. This risk is higher with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) because they are stored in the body.

Yes. Water-soluble vitamins (B vitamins, vitamin C) are not stored in the body and any excess is flushed out. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are stored in the liver and fatty tissues.

According to the WHO, the most common deficiencies include iron, vitamin A, and iodine, disproportionately affecting pregnant women and children in low- and middle-income countries.

They serve hundreds of roles. Vitamins often act as coenzymes to facilitate metabolic reactions, while minerals play structural roles (like in bones) and help regulate bodily processes such as fluid balance and nerve transmission.