Question

Discuss the different types of micronutrients and their function in the body. Choose two micronutrients and discuss the signs and symptoms of toxicity and deficiency for each nutrient. What disease process would cause toxicity and deficiencies for both nutrients

Answer 1

Micronutrients

Micronutrients can be divided into two parts:

A. Vitamins

B. Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are very important and essential elements because they perform number of roles in our body.

A. Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds synthesized from plans and animals. There are numerous functions of Vitamins in our body. Some Vitamins are water soluble and some are fat soluble.

Water soluble Vitamin:

Vitamins	Their Functions
Vitamin B1 Thiamin	This vitamin Thiamine helps release energy from carbohydrates. Needed in heart, digestive and nervous functions and for growth.
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin	Takes vital part in repair and formation of tissues also helps in release energy from food.
Vitamin B3 Niacin	This Vitamin helps in controlling cholesterol levels and essential for nervous system and digestive health.
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine	Helps in producing proteins and in making red blood cells.Important for brain function and immune system health.
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid	Helps in processing carbohydrate, fat and protein for energy and takes part in the formation of fatty acids and cholesterol.
Vitamin B12 Cyanocobalamin	It Works with folate to produce new blood and nerve cells and DNA also helps in processing carbohydrates and fats.
Vitamin B7 Biotin	It helps in process fat and protein. Takes Important part in growth and nerve cell function.
Vitamin B9 Folate (folic acid)	Helps in Production of red blood cells and DNA. It Keeps the nervous system healthy. Vital during pregnancy.
Vitamin C Ascorbic acid	It is needed for healthy skin, gums, teeth, bones and cartilage. Assists with absorption of some types of iron. It assists with wound healing and resistance to infection.

Fat Soluble Vitamins:

Vitamins	Functions
Vitamin A (Retinal)	Vital for eyesight, especially in night vision. This Vitamin is very essential for normal growth in children. Protects against harmful bacteria. Helps in improving immunity.
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)	This Vitamin works with calcium and phosphorus to make strong and healthy bones and teeth. Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause rickets disease. This disease increases the chance of a child having fractures.
Vitamin E Tocopherol	This Vitamin play a role in preventing cancer and heart disease.
Vitamin K Phylloquinone	This Vitamin is essential for blood clotting.

Minerals:

Minerals	Functions
Calcium	It helps in building strong healthy bones and teeth. Helps in muscle contraction and nerve function. It helps blood clotting.
Chromium	This Vitamin plays a role in controlling blood sugar levels as well as in growth.
Copper	This Vitamin combines with iron in formation of red blood cells. It helps with the functioning of the nervous system.
Fluoride	It is very essential in the structure of healthy bones and teeth. Protects our body from Osteoporosis.
Iodine	This is very helpful in normal thyroid functions.It is very helpful in brain function and normal growth.
Iron	Essential in formation of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. It prevents Anaemia.
Magnesium	It provides structure for healthy bones. Vital for muscle and nerve function.
Manganese	It helps in the formation of healthy bones also in the processing of cholesterol and protein.
Phosphorus	This Vitamin works with calcium in the formation of strong healthy bones and teeth. It help the body to store and use energy.
Potassium	It controls nerve impulses and muscle contractions as well as in maintaining of fluid balance.
Sodium	It controls nerve impulse transmissions. It helps maintain water balance.
Zinc	It aids in wound healing and immune functions. It helpd in the formation of strong bones.

Deficiency and Toxicity:

Micronutrients are very essential for our body functions and metabolism. Deficiency of any of the upper mentioned micro nutrients causes adverse effects on functions and metabolism of our body. The disabilities in functions of our body causes diseases.

Moreover if we take too much quantities of these micro nutrients, this will also put adverse effects. This is called toxicity of micro nutrients. Here we are mentioning two micro nutrients,whose deficiency led to diseases in body as well as there toxicity also cause adverse effects.

Vitamin A

Deficiency:

Vitamin A is essential for the health of our eyes and skin. Deficiency of Vitamin A can cause:

1. Night blindness (Xerophthalmia).

2. Thickened skin(Hyperkeratosis).

Toxicity:

1. Incoordination. (Neuromuscular disease).

2. Vomiting and Liver abnormalities.

Vitamin D

Deficiency:

Vitamin D is essential for the health of our bones, muscle, nervous system and immunity. Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause:

1. Rickets in children.

2. Osteomalacia.

Toxicity:

1. Hypercalcemia. Vitamin D is linked with Vitamin C. When we take Vitamin D. It absorb Vitamin C in our blood. More Vitamin D means more Calcium in blood. So when we eat more Vitamin D Hypercalcemia disease can be occur.

2. Can damage the Kidneys also.