Understanding Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals Explained

Vitamins and minerals take part in thousands of biochemical reactions in the body. Vitamins are organic compounds and are traditionally divided into water soluble vitamins, the B group and vitamin C, and fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, which are absorbed with dietary fat and can be stored in the liver and fatty tissue.

Minerals are inorganic elements, grouped into macro minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, which the body needs in relatively large amounts, and trace minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine and selenium. Many classic deficiency diseases, including scurvy, rickets, beriberi, pellagra and goiter, were first understood through the history of micronutrient research.

Health authorities publish reference intake values that vary by age, sex and life stage, and set upper intake levels for many nutrients because excess can also cause harm..