All food, from pancakes to sushi, is composed of macronutrients, micronutrients, and water. Aside from water, which makes up the lion’s share of everything, food is made primarily of the macronutrients:
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbohydrate
These three macronutriets are the only food components that provide energy, measured as calories, to maintain life. The micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements are providing no caloric energy but are nevertheless essential for life.
They perform a multitude of cellular functions, many of which involve the efficient use and disposal of the macronutrients. Without macronutrients we would suffer malnutrition, starvation, and death. Without micronutrients we would suffer deficiency diseases, a precipitous health decline, and death. The nutrients from both groups are necessary for life.
The conclusion is we need both balanced macronutrients and micronutrients in our daily diet.
