Although micronutrients don’t contribute any calories to our diet, they are absolutely essential for our health and well being. This is because micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals that our body need to use on a daily basis and are vital for maintaining the proper function of every cell throughout the body.
Micronutrients are called “micro” nutrients because they are only needed in small quantities compared to macronutrients. Low carb vegetables and animal products (especially eggs and organ meats like liver) will provide you most of the vital micronutrients that your body craves. If that isn’t enough, you can always take supplements to help out.
Micronutrients are broken down into three main categories: fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals.
Fat-soluble vitamins are normally stored in fat globules and can remain stored for longer periods of time. Overconsumption of these vitamins can be dangerous.
The fat-soluble vitamins are:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Conversely, water-soluble vitamins can be overconsumed without a problem. Excess amounts of these vitamins will just be excreted in urine.
The water-soluble vitamins are:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B1 (thiamin)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin H (biotin)
- Vitamin B8 (ergadenylic acid)
- Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
- Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
And here is a list of some of the most important minerals:
- Calcium
- Chlorine
- Copper
- Iodine
- Iron
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Sulfur
- Phosphorous
- Zinc
To learn more about why we need these vitamins and minerals and how to get them in your diet, read through our article on micronutrients.