Don’t forget the little guys.
If you’re like any other human being, you like to eat (for those of you dieting, you don’t have to actually eat to like eating). Whether it be a fried drumstick, a t-bone cooked to medium-rare, or any other delicious food stuffs we put in our mouths to live, we can all agree food is a necessity in life. However, many of us don’t realize how important the small things are, the really REALLY small things, like micronutrients. So, what are micronutrients and why are you reading about it in a health-related article? Because it has the word ‘nutrient’ attached… well… that’s partially true.
Micronutrients are important. They are one of the major
nutrient groups your body continually needs to run efficiently and properly and
include important vitamins and minerals. Micronutrients help energy production,
reinforce our immune functions, bone health, and other bodily balances and
processes. But how can we put something into our bodies we can’t even see?
Fortunately, we obtain most of the micronutrients our bodies need via the foods we eat, which is why it is important to know what we are eating. Because vitamins are organic compounds derived from plants and animals, they are broken down by whatever environment the food is in. In our case, our stomach acids are able to break down the compounds. Minerals, on the other hand, are inorganic and are available in their state in our soils, metals, and water.
In order to make sure our bodies are taking in the necessary
vitamins and minerals, it is important to consume a variety of foods. So the
next time you order out, don’t skip out on that salad.
