Micronutrient

How it is used

Common in clinical work, public health and research. People talk about micronutrient deficiencies, micronutrient status and 'hidden hunger', which means a lack of vitamins and minerals even when a person gets enough energy. Iron, iodine, vitamin A and zinc are key examples in global health.

Example sentences

1. Teenagers who skip meals often miss out on important micronutrients such as calcium and iron.

2. The study measured micronutrient status in 300 pregnant women.

Common collocations

• micronutrient deficiency
• micronutrient status
• micronutrient intake
• micronutrient supplementation

Related terms

• vitaminAn organic substance that the body needs in small amounts for growth, immunity and normal metabolism. Most vitamins must come from food because the body cannot make enough of them.
• mineralAn inorganic element, such as calcium, iron, zinc or potassium, that the body needs for bones, blood, nerves and many chemical reactions, and must get from food and water.
• deficiencyA lack of a nutrient in the body that is serious enough to affect health or cause specific signs, such as anemia caused by too little iron.
• macronutrientA nutrient that the body needs in large amounts, measured in grams: carbohydrate, protein and fat. Water is sometimes included in this group too.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• micronutrient · Agriculture

More terms: Vitamins and Minerals

• supplement
• iron
• calcium
• vitamin D
• sodium
• antioxidant
• fat-soluble vitamin
• folate
• vitamin B12
• electrolyte
• fortified
• bioavailability