Micronutrients: Essential for Health and Wellness
Micronutrients play a crucial role in maintaining health and wellness. Deficiencies in minerals can lead to serious, long-term health issues for both children and adults. Unborn children and older adults are particularly vulnerable to these deficiencies. This is why many nutritional supplements are tailored for specific age groups, and why staple foods like flour are often fortified with vitamins and minerals.
However, it’s important to note that food fortification can sometimes be misleading. Often, synthetic vitamin variants are used, which may lack the necessary cofactors and nutrients for proper absorption in the body. Therefore, it’s always best to get your vitamins and minerals from natural, whole-food sources to ensure your body can effectively utilize these essential nutrients.
What Are Vitamins?
Vitamins are organic compounds that the body needs in small amounts, primarily obtained from food. Except for vitamin D, the body cannot produce these vitamins on its own. Vitamins serve various functions; for example, vitamins A, C, and E act as antioxidants, while B vitamins are crucial for fetal brain development and healthy brain aging. Vitamins are categorized into two types: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they are stored in the body’s fatty tissues for future use. These vitamins are best absorbed when consumed with healthy fats.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is vital for eye and brain health, growth regulation, and maintaining a healthy immune system. Plant sources are the safest way to meet your daily vitamin A needs, as animal sources can lead to toxicity.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D functions both as a hormone and a micronutrient. It is well-known for its role in bone health but also supports respiratory health, mental and emotional well-being, and immune system efficiency.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. Among its various forms, alpha-tocopherol is the most preferred by the body. It protects lipids from oxidation and prevents DNA damage by stopping free radicals.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, named after the German word for coagulation (koagulation). It activates proteins responsible for this process.
Water-Soluble Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins include the B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. These vitamins need to be replenished daily as they are not stored in the body and are excreted in urine.
B-Complex Vitamins
The B-complex vitamins include thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), and cobalamin (B12). These vitamins regulate energy release in cells, serve as cofactors, and impact mood and immune health. A healthy gut microbiome is essential as some probiotics produce B-vitamins.
Vitamin B12 and B9
These vitamins are crucial for brain health. Research suggests that vitamin B12 helps preserve memory and cognitive function as you age.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is well-known for its antioxidant properties but also plays a significant role in growth and healing. It supports connective tissue strength, bone health, and skin elasticity, and enhances iron absorption from food.
What Are Minerals?
Minerals are inorganic substances that are essential for various cellular functions. They are divided into macrominerals and trace minerals, with the body requiring larger amounts of macrominerals.
Macrominerals
Macrominerals include magnesium, sulfur, and electrolytes like potassium, calcium, sodium, chlorine, and phosphorus. While sodium chloride (table salt) is essential, excessive intake can be harmful. It’s important to limit salt consumption.
Magnesium
Magnesium is crucial for metabolism, acting as a cofactor in numerous chemical reactions. It is also vital for bone formation and genetic material synthesis.
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, essential for bone strength, muscle and blood vessel function, nerve signaling, and cellular communication.
Potassium
Most Americans do not get enough potassium, which is vital for muscle and nerve function, maintaining a steady heartbeat, and cell detoxification. Balancing sodium and potassium intake is crucial.
Trace Minerals
Trace minerals are needed in smaller amounts but are equally important. These include chromium, iron, iodine, selenium, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, and copper. Deficiencies in trace minerals like iodine and iron can lead to severe health issues. For example, iron deficiency anemia affects 1.6 billion people worldwide, and iodine deficiency in pregnant women can cause severe cognitive impairment in their children.
Micronutrients and Nutrition
To meet your micronutrient needs, focus on a nutrient-rich diet, quality supplementation, and, to a lesser extent, consuming certain types of clay or cooking in cast iron. While vitamins and minerals can be synthesized in labs, it’s best to obtain them naturally from plant sources like fruits and vegetables.
At Global Healing, we prioritize sourcing the best micronutrients from natural, organic, and wildcrafted plant sources. Some of our favorite supplements include:
– Selenium: Sourced from organic mustard seeds, essential for thyroid and overall health.
– Detoxadine: A nascent iodine supplement from natural salt deposits, supporting immune health and thyroid function.
– Biotin (Vitamin B7): Derived from the sesbania plant, promoting healthy hair and nails.
– Vitamin D3: A vegan, lichen-derived supplement supporting the nervous system, calcium absorption, and mood.
By focusing on natural sources, you can ensure your body receives the essential nutrients it needs for optimal health.
