Small but powerful! The significance of micronutrients for your health

As the name “micro” implies, micronutrients are only needed by the human body in small quantities – but are all the more essential for it. Learn more about what exactly micronutrients are, why they are so important for your health, how they can be absorbed and what the individual requirements can depend on.

What are micronutrients?

First of all, micronutrients are trace elements, such as vitamins and minerals. Unlike macronutrients, which include carbohydrates, protein and fat, the body only needs these in small quantities. For the most part, the body cannot produce micronutrients itself. Therefore, the human body is dependent on the intake of these nutrients through food.

What happens when there is a micronutrients deficiency?

An intake of too few micronutrients can lead to serious health problems. These include, for example, severe performance deficiencies. Since our bodies cannot produce micronutrients themselves, it is important to eat a balanced and healthy diet. Unfortunately, due to the intensive use of soils and increased stress in everyday life that modern humans are exposed to today, it is difficult to adequately meet all of our micronutrient needs. In fact, according to studies, only 75 percent of the western population gets the recommended amount of micronutrients.

But how can these important micronutrients be absorbed?

Vitamins and minerals are contained in food in very different amounts. A varied and balanced diet therefore forms the basis for an adequate supply of nutrients. Therefore, our Ayurveda specialists recommend that, depending on your constitution and age, you consume three to five portions of vegetables and two to three portions of fruit, as well as whole grain products, nuts, pulses daily. Animal protein such as fish or lean meat should be consumed once or twice a week.

What does the micronutrient requirement of the individual depend on?

The nutrient requirements of an individual depend on various factors, which can be viewed individually here:

• Dietary habits
• Individual constitution
• Activity and sport
• Age
• Occupational environment
• Coffee and tea consumption
• Gender
• Contact with environmental toxins and electrosmog
• Illness or surgery
• Lifestyle
• Stress level
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Growth

It is important to mention that after and especially during infections it is particularly important to take additional micronutrients so that the body’s defences can be mobilised. Therefore, our Ayurveda specialists recommend the micronutrients vitamin C, zinc, selenium, vitamin D to strengthen the immune system. Depending on your constitution and complaints, these micronutrients can be supplemented.

For a detailed micronutrient analysis in Switzerland, we recommend an anamnesis with our Ayurveda team in the Giardino Hotels, with whom you are in the best hands and who will be happy to advise you on this and other topics.

For more details on Ayurvedic cures in Switzerland and how Ayurveda works, see: Ayurveda by Giardino

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