What is the difference between essential micronutrients and nonessential micronutrients?

Answer 1

Essential micronutrients include iodine, iron, vitamin A and folate.

A nutrient is a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from the environment. Non-autotrophic organisms typically acquire nutrients by the ingestion of foods. Methods for nutrient intake vary, with animals and protists having an internal digestive system, while plants digest nutrients externally and then ingested. Organic nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins (or their building blocks, amino acids), and vitamins. Inorganic chemical compounds such as minerals; water and oxygen may also be considered nutrients. A nutrient is essential to an organism if it cannot be synthesized by the organism in sufficient quantities and must be obtained from an external source. Nutrients needed in relatively large quantities are called macronutrients and those needed in relatively small quantities are called micronutrients . Nutrients are frequently categorized as essential or nonessential. Essential nutrients are unable to be synthesized internally (either at all, or in sufficient quantities), and so must be consumed by an organism from its environment. For humans, these include essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, and certain dietary minerals. Oxygen and water are also essential for human survival, but are generally not considered "food" when consumed in isolation. Humans can derive energy from a wide variety of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and ethanol, and can synthesize other needed amnio acids from the essential nutrients. Non - essential nutrients can still have a significant impact on health, whether beneficial or toxic. For example, most dietary fiber is not absorbed by the human digestive tract, but is important in digestion and absorption of otherwise harmful substances. Interest has recently increased in phytochemicals, which include many non - essential nutrients which may have health benefits.

Answer 2

you may be confused with essential and non-essential amino acids. these are the building blocks for protein in our cells. Really all of the amino acids are essential but we produce most of them. 9 of the amino acids for humans must be taken from sources of food such as meat or nuts or dietary supplements.

Answer 3

There is no difference between essential and necessary nutrients. For example, there are about 9 essential amino acids necessary for the body the make proteins. If just one of these amino acids is missing, no proteins will be made. This is why it is essential (necessary) to eat a well balanced diet.

Answer 4

The essential nutrients your body requires include vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats (essential fatty acids), water and oxygen. Non-essential nutrients are nutrients that your body can produce internally from food sources.