Macronutrients are substances necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. They should come with food in an amount of 25 grams. Macronutrients are simple chemicals . It can be both metals and non-metals. However, they do not have to enter the body in its pure form. In most cases, macro- and micronutrients come from food as part of salts and other chemical compounds.
Macronutrients - which substances?
The human body should receive 12 macronutrients. Of these, four are called biogenic, since their number in the body is the largest. Such macronutrients are the basis of the life of organisms. They consist of cells.
Biogenic
Macronutrients include:
- carbon;
- oxygen;
- nitrogen;
- hydrogen.
They are called biogenic, since they are the main components of a living organism and are part of almost all organic substances.
Other macronutrients
Macronutrients include:
- phosphorus;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- chlorine;
- sodium;
- potassium;
- sulfur.
Their number in the body is less than biogenic macronutrients.
What are trace elements?
Micro and macro elements are distinguished by the fact that the body needs less trace elements. Excessive intake of them in the body has a negative effect. However, their lack also causes disease.
Here is a list of trace elements:
- iron;
- fluorine;
- copper;
- manganese;
- chromium;
- zinc;
- aluminum;
- mercury;
- lead;
- nickel;
- iodine;
- molybdenum;
- selenium;
- cobalt.
Some trace elements, when overdosed, become extremely toxic, such as mercury and cobalt.
What role do these substances play in the body?
Consider the functions that micronutrients and macronutrients perform.
The role of macronutrients:
- Phosphorus. It is part of nucleic acids and proteins, as well as salts, from which bones and teeth are formed.
- Calcium. It is part of the bones, as well as teeth. It is also necessary for muscle contraction. Shells also consist of calcium.
- Magnesium. It is part of chlorophyll, which provides photosynthesis in plants. In the body of animals involved in protein synthesis.
- Chlorine. Its ions are involved in the process of cell excitation.
- Sodium. It performs the same function as chlorine.
- Potassium. Provides retention of the necessary water in the cell. Participates in the processes of cell excitation, and is also necessary for the functioning of enzymes.
- Sulfur. They are a component of nucleic acids and proteins.
The functions performed by some trace elements are still not fully understood, since the less element is present in the body, the more difficult it is to determine the processes in which it takes part.
The role of trace elements in the body:
- Iron. Participates in the process of respiration and photosynthesis. It is part of the hemoglobin protein, which transports oxygen.
- Fluorine. It is one of the components of tooth enamel.
- Copper. Takes part in photosynthesis and respiration.
- Manganese. Provides the functioning of the nervous system.
- Chromium. Participates in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and regulates blood sugar. In addition, it can replace iodine.
- Zinc. It is a component of insulin - the hormone necessary for the conversion of glucose to glycogen.
- Aluminum. Participates in the process of regeneration - tissue repair.
- Mercury. It is a component of some biologically active substances. Its role in the human body is not fully understood.
- Lead. Regulates the content of hemoglobin in the blood. Activates some enzymes. Participates in the metabolism. Stimulates cell division.
- Nickel. Participates in the processes of hematopoiesis and the synthesis of hormones by the body. It activates the action of the hormone insulin and inhibits the action of adrenaline.
- Iodine. Ensures the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
- Molybdenum. It removes free radicals from the body. Participates in the synthesis of amino acids. Removes excess iron from the body, retains fluoride.
- Selenium. Promotes the absorption of iodine, is a component of biologically active substances, is part of the heart, striated muscles.
Cell macroelements and its microelements
Consider its chemical composition in the table.
The elementary composition of the cell| Element | Cell percentage |
| Oxygen | 65-75 |
| Carbon | 15-18 |
| Nitrogen | 1,5-3 |
| Hydrogen | 8-10 |
| Sulfur | 0.4-0.5 |
| Phosphorus | 0.2-1 |
| Potassium | 0.15-0.4 |
| Chlorine | 0.05-0.1 |
| Calcium | 0.04-2 |
| Magnesium | 0.02-0.03 |
| Sodium | 0.02-0.03 |
| Iron | 0.01-0.015 |
| Other | up to 0.1 in total |
We examined the chemical composition of the cell at the element level, but it is worth considering that, naturally, they are not contained in it in its pure form, but are combined into organic and inorganic chemical elements.
What food does the body need?
Consider the table in which products contain macro- and micronutrients.
| Element | Products |
| Manganese | Blueberries, nuts, currants, beans, oatmeal, buckwheat, black tea, bran, carrots |
| Molybdenum | Beans, cereals, chicken, kidneys, liver |
| Copper | Peanuts, avocados, soybeans, lentils, shellfish, salmon, crayfish |
| Selenium | Nuts, Beans, Seafood, Broccoli, Onions, Cabbage |
| Nickel | Nuts, cereals, broccoli, cabbage |
| Phosphorus | Milk, fish, yolk |
| Sulfur | Eggs, milk, fish, meat, nuts, garlic, beans |
| Zinc | Sunflower and sesame seeds, lamb, herring, beans, eggs |
| Chromium | Yeast, beef, tomatoes, cheese, corn, eggs, apples, veal liver |
| Iron | Apricots, peaches, blueberries, apples, beans, spinach, corn, buckwheat, oatmeal, liver, wheat, nuts |
| Fluorine | Plant products |
| Iodine | Seaweed, fish |
| Potassium | Dried apricots, almonds, hazelnuts, raisins, beans, peanuts, prunes, peas, seaweed, potatoes, mustard, pine nuts, walnuts |
| Chlorine | Fish (flounder, tuna, crucian carp, capelin, mackerel, hake, etc.), eggs, rice, peas, buckwheat, salt |
| Calcium | Dairy products, mustard, nuts, oatmeal, peas |
| Sodium | Fish, seaweed, eggs |
| Aluminum | In almost all products |
Now you know almost everything about macro- and microelements.