essential nutrient
Necessary dietary component
An essential nutrient is a substance the body requires but cannot produce on its own—it must come from food.
The category includes vitamins, minerals, certain amino acids, and fatty acids.
Iron is an essential nutrient for blood production.
What counts as essential varies slightly by species; humans need vitamin C, but most other mammals synthesize it internally.
Essential organic nutrients
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
- fatsOily organic nutrients
amino acids · fatty acids · fiber · calcium · iron · magnesium · potassium · zinc
Measured medicine amount
- recommended daily allowanceSuggested daily nutrient intake
- supplementationAdding to something insufficient
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- adequacyBeing barely acceptable
absorption · bioavailability · food sources · balanced diet · whole foods · multivitamin · RDA
Cellular nutrient conversion
- immunityProtected from harm
- cell divisionParent splitting into offspring
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
absorption · bioavailability · enzymes · coenzymes · energy production · tissue repair · nerve function · blood clotting
Vitamin C deficiency disease
- ricketsNutritional bone-weakening illness
- anemiaRed cell deficiency
- beriberiVitamin B1 deficiency disease
- pellagraNiacin-lack illness
goiter · osteoporosis · night blindness · malnutrition · insufficiency · supplementation · fortification · enrichment
Earliest period of life
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- pregnancyCarrying developing offspring
- fetal developmentUnborn offspring's growth process
- bone densityMineral content per volume
muscle growth · maturation · childhood · lactation · puberty · prenatal · postnatal · developmental milestones
vitamins
Essential organic nutrients
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
fats · amino acids · fatty acids · fiber · calcium · iron · magnesium · potassium · zinc · selenium
dosage
Measured medicine amount
- recommended daily allowanceSuggested daily nutrient intake
- supplementationAdding to something insufficient
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
adequacy · absorption · bioavailability · food sources · balanced diet · whole foods · multivitamin · RDA
metabolism
Cellular nutrient conversion
- immunityProtected from harm
- cell divisionParent splitting into offspring
- developmentProgress toward maturity
homeostasis · absorption · bioavailability · enzymes · coenzymes · energy production · tissue repair · nerve function · blood clotting · bone formation
scurvy
Vitamin C deficiency disease
- ricketsNutritional bone-weakening illness
- anemiaRed cell deficiency
- beriberiVitamin B1 deficiency disease
pellagra · goiter · osteoporosis · night blindness · malnutrition · insufficiency · supplementation · fortification · enrichment · malnourishment
infancy
Earliest period of life
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- pregnancyCarrying developing offspring
- fetal developmentUnborn offspring's growth process
bone density · muscle growth · maturation · childhood · lactation · puberty · prenatal · postnatal · developmental milestones · height
- plant nutrientsboron, iron deficiency, trace element, chlorosis, fertilizer
- seleniumselenite, trace mineral, trace element
essential nutrienttoxin
Biological-origin harm agent
poison · antinutrient · empty calories · junk food · filler
essential nutrientpoison
Harmful ingested substance
toxin · carcinogen · pollutant · toxic compound · contaminant
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