What are essential nutrients
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Essential Nutrients: A Comprehensive Overview
Definition and Importance of Essential Nutrients
Essential nutrients are compounds that the body cannot synthesize in sufficient quantities and must be obtained through diet. These nutrients are crucial for various bodily functions, including growth, development, and disease prevention. The term "essential nutrient" encompasses a wide range of substances, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids1 3 5.
Categories of Essential Nutrients
Macronutrients
Macronutrients are required in larger amounts and include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These nutrients provide the energy necessary for daily activities and bodily functions.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients, needed in smaller quantities, include vitamins and minerals. Despite their small required amounts, they are vital for maintaining health and preventing diseases.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds that are crucial for various metabolic processes. For example, vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function, while vitamin E acts as an antioxidant3 6.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic elements that play multiple roles in the body. Calcium and phosphorus are vital for bone health, while iron is essential for oxygen transport in the blood5 10. Other important minerals include magnesium, zinc, and selenium, which serve as cofactors for numerous enzymatic reactions10.
Plant Nutrients
Essential Plant Nutrients
Plants require a variety of nutrients to grow and thrive. Essential plant nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, among others. These nutrients are critical for processes such as photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and growth2 4.
Functional Nutrients
Some elements, like sodium, are not traditionally classified as essential but play significant roles in plant metabolism. These are termed "functional nutrients" and can enhance plant growth and resilience7.
Nutrient Deficiency and Health Implications
Human Health
Deficiencies in essential nutrients can lead to various health issues. For instance, a lack of vitamin D can result in bone disorders like rickets, while iron deficiency can cause anemia3 5. Ensuring a balanced intake of these nutrients is crucial for maintaining overall health.
Plant Health
In plants, nutrient deficiencies can lead to stunted growth, poor yield, and increased susceptibility to diseases. For example, nitrogen deficiency often results in yellowing leaves and reduced growth4.
Sources of Essential Nutrients
Dietary Sources
A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products typically provides all the essential nutrients needed for good health. Foods like eggs, meat, and dairy are excellent sources of choline, an essential nutrient for brain function and liver health8.
Supplements
While supplements can help meet nutrient needs, especially in populations with specific deficiencies, they are not a substitute for a balanced diet. Over-reliance on supplements can lead to nutrient imbalances and potential toxicity6.
Conclusion
Essential nutrients are fundamental to both human and plant health. Understanding their roles, sources, and the consequences of deficiencies can help in making informed dietary choices and ensuring optimal health. A balanced diet remains the best approach to obtaining these vital nutrients, although supplements can be beneficial in certain situations.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Nutrient essentiality revisited
Expanding the definitions and criteria for nutrient essentiality is necessary to reflect advances in current science and consider non-classical compounds with bioactivity for potential essentiality under certain situations.
Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D
Dietary reference values for calcium and vitamin D have been established to help clarify their importance for bone health and overall health.
Highly CitedThe use of nutrients in crop plants
This book provides a comprehensive overview of crop plant nutrition, focusing on maximizing crop yield without harming the environment through efficient nutrient use.
Highly CitedSources and Deficiency Diseases of Mineral Nutrients in Human Health and Nutrition： A Review
Consuming a variety of foods in modest quantities, including whole grains, low-fat dairy, and various meats, vegetables, and fruits, can help protect against mineral nutrient deficiencies.
Highly CitedEssential nutrients: food or supplements? Where should the emphasis be?
Dietary patterns, not nutrient supplements, are more important for maintaining health than individual nutrients consumed.
Highly CitedSodium—A Functional Plant Nutrient
Sodium, while not essential for all plants, can promote maximal biomass growth and reduce the need for essential elements, making it a "functional nutrient" in plant metabolism.
Highly CitedCholine: an essential nutrient for public health.
Choline deficiency can lead to liver disease, atherosclerosis, and neurological disorders, and dietary guidance should encourage the intake of choline-rich foods.
Highly CitedNutrient reference value: non-communicable disease endpoints—a conference report
This conference aims to establish a nutrient reference value for dietary bioactive components, which may enhance health or reduce chronic disease risk, and to evaluate their effectiveness in promoting optimal health.
Rigorous JournalThe importance of mineral elements for humans, domestic animals and plants: A review
Mineral elements are essential for maintaining good health in humans, animals, and plants, with their biochemical functions influencing various body functions and preventing nutrition-related diseases.
Literature ReviewHighly Cited