What the heck are micro and macro nutrients?

Macro and Micronutrients are a class of minerals that are vital for the healthy functioning of the human body. Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and derive their name from the fact that they are needed in relatively small amounts in comparison to the Macronutrients which are carbohydrates, fats and oils, proteins, amino acids and water. Macronutrients supply the energy that our bodies need.

Although we only need micronutrients in small amounts, if those small quantities are absent from our diets our bodies can suffer.

For example:

iron deficiency (which is one of the most common deficiencies especially common with vegetarians > Anemia, brittle nails, confusion, constipation, depression, dizziness, fatigue, headaches...

Essential fatty acid deficiency (Also very common since a lot of people tend to be afraid of fat) > Diarrhea, dry skin and hair, hair loss, immune impairment, infertility, poor wound healing, premenstrual syndrome, acne, eczema, gall stones, liver degeneration

Zinc > Acne, amnesia, apathy, brittle nails, delayed sexual maturity, depression, diarrhea, eczema, fatigue, growth impairment, hair loss, high cholesterol levels, immune impairment, impotence, irritability, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of sense of taste, low stomach acid, male infertility, memory impairment, night blindness, paranoia, white spots on nails, wound healing impairment

So how do we avoid being deficient in micro/macronutrients?
Do what your mamma told you and eat a varied and balanced diet. Eat leafy green veggies, red meat, and whole grains to get iron. Fruits and green veggies for Vitamins C, A and B1. Whole grains (brown rice for example) also for B1, milk and milk products for Calcium. Fish, poultry nuts and cereals for B3.

Some foods (don’t ask me which ones) can be genetically modified to contain nutrients that they wouldn’t naturally have…while this is an interesting fact it’s best to try and eat foods that didn’t need to be genetically modified to include those nutrients, food that are natural.