Micronutrients and Human Health

Micronutrients are essential components of the diet. They are classically divided into four groups: water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins, macrominerals, and microminerals or trace elements. A lack or imbalance of these components can impact on human health at different levels. Awareness on how diet can affect human health is increasing, but more research is needed to understand how dietary components interact with each other and how to balance these elements in different situations.

We encourage the submission of manuscripts that provide novel and mechanistic insights on the role of micronutrients either in human health, in specific circumstances (e.g., gestation, infancy, senescence), or during pathological processes. Relevant epidemiological data and research focusing on animal models and on appropriate “in vitro” approaches are also welcome.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Gestation
• Lactation
• Infancy
• Senescence
• Exercise
• Stress
• Infection
• Immune-mediated diseases: allergy, inflammation, autoimmunity, etc.
• Cancer
• Degenerative diseases

Pathophysiological actions of water-soluble vitamins:

• Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B7 (biotin)
• Vitamin B9 (folate)
• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Pathophysiological actions of fat-soluble vitamins:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

Role of macrominerals:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Sodium
• Chloride
• Potassium
• Sulfur

Role of trace elements (microminerals):

• Iron
• Manganese
• Copper
• Zinc
• Iodine
• Fluoride
• Selenium

Microbial components and micronutrients:

• Fiber
• Probiotics
• Prebiotics
• Symbiotics
• Postbiotics
• Dairy products
• Infant formulas components

Oxidative stress and micronutrients:

• Antioxidant effects
• Pro-oxidant effects