Health

Macro- and micronutrients: Part 2

Posted on by Zingari

In last month’s blog there was mention of the macro- and micronutrients in food. But what is a macronutrient and a micronutrient?

This will be a part 2 of 2 talking about micronutrients.

There are 17 different micronutrients that will be stated and defined in this blog entry.

  1. Zinc: promotes immune functions and helps people resist infectious diseases including diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria.
  2. Calcium: helps the development of proper function and structure of the bones.
  3. Vitamin C: needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body
  4. Vitamin B12: helps keep your body’s blood and nerve cells healthy and help make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells
  5. Thiamine: helps the body convert food into fuel, which the body uses to produce energy
  6. Vitamin K: it’s an enzyme required for the synthesis of protein involved in hemostasis (blood clotting) and bone metabolism
  7. Iron: critically needed for motor and cognitive development.
  8. Potassium: helps maintain normal levels of fluid in the cells of our body
  9. Vitamin A: it’s important/ assists with your vision, immune system, organ health as well as growth and development of the body
  10. Vitamin E: acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals
  11. Iodine: This is needed to make thyroid hormones in the human body
  12. Manganese: It’s a coenzyme that assists many enzymes involved in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and cholesterol
  13. Magnesium: It assists in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, making protein, strengthen bones, and makes DNA
  14. Selenium: Has a critical role in thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protection from oxidative damage and infection
  15. Molybdenum: It processes proteins and genetic material like DNA
  16. Biotin: This metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids
  17. Riboflavin: This works Vitamin B and helps with red blood cell production and overall body growth.

That is just a short brief overview on the concept of micronutrients.

If you have more questions on this topic feel free to email ronin@macromeals.co.za as well as for personal training &/or meal prep assistance.