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Micronutrients are essential to sustain life and for optimal physiological function. Widespread global micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) exist, with pregnant women and their children under 5 years at the highest risk. Iron, iodine, folate, vitamin A, and zinc deficiencies are the most widespread MNDs, and all these MNDs are common contributors to poor growth, intellectual impairments, perinatal complications, and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Iron deficiency is the most common MND worldwide and leads to microcytic anemia, decreased capacity for work, as well as impaired immune and endocrine function. Iodine deficiency disorder is also widespread and results in goiter, mental retardation, or reduced cognitive function. Adequate zinc is necessary for optimal immune function, and deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, major causes of death in those <5 years of age. Folic acid taken in early pregnancy can prevent neural tube defects. Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and repair, and deficiency results in macrocytic anemia. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and also impairs immune function and cell differentiation. Single MNDs rarely occur alone; often, multiple MNDs coexist. The long-term consequences of MNDs are not only seen at the individual level but also have deleterious impacts on the economic development and human capital at the country level. Perhaps of greatest concern is the cycle of MNDs that persists over generations and the intergenerational consequences of MNDs that we are only beginning to understand. Prevention of MNDs is critical and traditionally has been accomplished through supplementation, fortification, and food-based approaches including diversification. It is widely accepted that intervention in the first 1,000 days is critical to break the cycle of malnutrition; however, a coordinated, sustainable commitment to scaling up nutrition at the global level is still needed. Understanding the epidemiology of MNDs is critical to understand what intervention strategies will work best under different conditions.

Background Although morbid obesity is related to excess of energy and macronutrient intake, it does not rule out the presence of micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of this study was to evaluate food intake and the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in a group of morbidly obese women seeking bariatric surgery. Methods A total of 103 morbidly obese women were studied prior to bariatric surgery. Anthropometry and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DEXA) were performed on all subjects. Energy and nutrient intake was determined by food frequency questionnaire. Blood tests to assess micronutrients status, including plasma iron, ferritin, transferrin, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and hair zinc, were performed. Folic acid, vitamin B 12 , vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were also assessed in 66 subjects. Results Mean energy intake was 2801 ± 970 kcal/day. Carbohydrate, protein, and lipid intake represented 55 ± 9.1, 13.9 ± 3.3, and 32.5 ± 8.2 % of total energy intake, respectively. Iron, calcium, and vitamin D intake was below the recommended dietary allowance. The prevalence of nutritional deficiencies were as follows: plasma iron 12.6 %, ferritin 8.7 %, transferrin 14.6 %, plasma zinc 2.9 %, calcium 3.3 %, phosphorus 2.3 %, hemoglobin 7.7 %, hematocrit 13.6 %, MCV 6.8 %, and hair zinc 15.7 %. In the subsample, 10.6 % had a vitamin B 12 deficiency, 71.7 % showed low concentrations of vitamin D, and 66 % had high PTH levels. No folic acid or copper deficiencies were detected. Conclusions Despite high daily energy intake and adequate macronutrient distribution, morbidly obese Chilean women seeking bariatric surgery present with deficient intake of some micronutrients and a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies.

Background Obesity is associated with nutritional deficiencies. Bariatric surgery could worsen these deficiencies. Fewer nutritional deficiencies would be seen after sleeve gastrectomy compared to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, but sleeve gastrectomy would also cause further deterioration of the deficiencies. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of pre-operative nutrient deficiencies in sleeve gastrectomy patients and assess the evolution of the nutritional status during the first post-operative year. Methods Four hundred seven sleeve gastrectomy patients were assigned to a standardized follow-up program. Data of interest were weight loss, pre-operative nutrient status and evolution of nutrient deficiencies during the first post-operative year. Deficiencies were supplemented when found. Results Two hundred patients completed blood withdrawal pre-operatively and in the first post-operative year. pre-operatively, 5 % of the patients were anemic, 7 % had low serum ferritin and 24 % had low folic acid. Hypovitaminosis D was present in 81 %. Vitamin A had excessive levels in 72 %. One year post-operatively, mean excess weight loss was 70 %. Anemia was found in 6 %. Low-ferritin levels were found in 8 % of the patients. Folate deficiency decreased significantly and hypovitaminosis D was still found in 36 %. Conclusions In this study, a considerable amount of patients suffered from a deficient micronutrient status pre-operatively. One year after surgery, micronutrient deficiencies persisted or were found de novo in a considerable amount of patients, despite significant weight loss and supplementation. Significant reductions were seen only for folate and vitamin D.

Micronutrients like iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), boron (B), nickel (Ni), and molybdenum (Mo) perform significant roles in the regulation of plant metabolism, growth, and development. Micronutrients, namely Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Ni, are involved in oxidative stress and antioxidant defense as they are cofactors or activators of various antioxidant enzymes, viz . , superoxide dismutase (Fe, Cu/Zn, Mn, and Ni), catalase (Fe), and ascorbate peroxidase (Fe). An effort has been made to incorporate recent advances along with classical work done on the micronutrient deficiency-induced oxidative stress and associated antioxidant responses of plants. Deficiency of a micronutrient produces ROS in the cellular compartments. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems are often modulated by micronutrient deficiency to regulate redox balance and scavenge deleterious ROS for the safety of cellular constituents. ROS can strike cellular constituents such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and can destruct cellular membranes and proteins. ROS might act as a signaling molecule and activate the antioxidant proteins by interacting with signaling partners such as respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH), G-proteins, Ca 2+ , mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and various transcription factors (TFs). Opinions on probable ROS signaling under micronutrient deficiency have been described in this review. However, further research is required to decipher micronutrient deficiency-induced ROS generation, perception, and associated downstream signaling events, leading to the development of antioxidant responses in plants.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has classically been associated with malnutrition and weight loss, although this has become less common with advances in treatment and greater proportions of patients attaining clinical remission. However, micronutrient deficiencies are still relatively common, particularly in CD patients with active small bowel disease and/or multiple resections. This is an updated literature review of the prevalence of major micronutrient deficiencies in IBD patients, focusing on those associated with important extraintestinal complications, including anemia (iron, folate, vitamin B12) bone disease (calcium, vitamin D, and possibly vitamin K), hypercoagulability (folate, vitamins B6, and B12), wound healing (zinc, vitamins A and C), and colorectal cancer risk (folate and possibly vitamin D and calcium).

Micronutrient deficiencies are of growing public health concern. An understanding of how micronutrient deficiencies affect health and measures that can be taken to improve micronutrient status are essential to improve population health. The main purpose of the 2018 Irish Section Meeting ‘Targeted approaches to tackling current nutritional issues’ was to provide an overview of current issues in relation to micronutrient status at various stages of the lifecycle. Novel biomarkers of nutrient status, global strategies to improve micronutrient status and implications for policy were also considered. The papers presented demonstrated recent advancements in this field and highlighted areas that warrant priority at the public health level, on both a national and global scale. Novel methods and biomarkers are being developed that will enhance the assessment of micronutrient status in specific population groups. It is evident that mild-to-moderate deficiency, or low status (in the absence of deficiency), of some micronutrients have important ramifications for public health that should be considered alongside the implications of severe deficiency. It is imperative that policy makers, public health workers and scientists work together to ensure that sustainable programmes are implemented to address micronutrient deficiencies at the population level.

Bariatric surgery (BS) is an effective treatment for severe obesity and its related comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. However, the anatomical and physiological changes associated with these procedures significantly increase the risk of preoperative and postoperative micronutrient deficiencies, which can lead to severe complications such as anemia, osteoporosis, and neurological disorders. This narrative review examines the prevalence and clinical implications of micronutrient deficiencies in BS patients, as well as evidence-based strategies for their prevention and management. The most common deficiencies include iron, vitamin B12, folate, calcium, vitamin D, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, and K). Procedures with a hypoabsorptive component, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS), pose higher risks of deficiencies compared to restrictive procedures like sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Effective strategies involve the preoperative correction of deficiencies, continuous monitoring, and tailored supplementation. However, long-term adherence to supplementation tends to decrease over time, influenced by behavioral and socioeconomic factors. Hence, preventing and managing micronutrient deficiencies are crucial for the long-term success of BS. While current guidelines provide valuable recommendations, many are based on low-certainty evidence, underscoring the need for more robust studies. A multidisciplinary approach, combined with innovative strategies, such as telemedicine, can enhance adherence and achieve sustainable clinical outcomes.

Vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a pivotal role for several physiologic functions during one’s lifespan. Only certain microorganisms are able to synthetize B12, thus humans obtain cobalamin exclusively from their diet, specifically from animal-derived foods. Specific sub-group populations are at risk of vitamin B12 subclinical deficiency due to different factors including poor intake of animal source foods and age-dependent decrease in the capacity of intestinal B12 uptake. Consumption of animal products produces some negative health issues and negatively impacts sustainability while a plant-based diet increases the risk of B12 deficiency. Taking a cue from the aforementioned considerations, this narrative review aims to summarize facts about B12 deficiency and the burden of inadequate dietary intake in elderly population, as well as to discuss sustainable approaches to vitamin B12 deficiency in aging population.

Micronutrient deficiencies are not always present in individuals independently and may occur in association with other deficiency processes. Objective: Verify the association between the nutritional status of iodine and that of iron, selenium, and zinc in population studies. Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out in Medline, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases, without date and language restrictions, using English search terms and their synonyms. The search terms were joined by the Boolean operator AND while the respective synonyms were connected by OR following the PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 40 articles were included. The studies were published between 1993 and 2025, mostly involving both sexes and the main age groups were children and adolescents. Among the micronutrients analyzed, selenium stood out, being evaluated in 55.0% (n = 22) of the studies, followed by iron in 37.5% (n = 15) and zinc in 27.5% (n = 11). The most commonly used methods for assessing nutritional status were serum selenium, followed by urinary selenium. For iron, hemoglobin, ferritin, and serum iron were used in 73.3% (n = 11), 60.0% (n = 9), and 46.7% (n = 7) of the studies, respectively. For zinc, serum concentration was the most frequently used method; however, in one study, urinary zinc was evaluated. Overall, the nutritional status of iodine was associated with that of selenium, iron, and zinc, although this trend was not observed in some studies. Conclusions: The coexistence of deficiency processes in an individual still needs to be further elucidated. Combined strategies that effectively combat, prevent, and treat these micronutrient deficiencies must consider the possible interactions between them.

Objective To build a comprehensive overview of the potential role of fish in improving nutrition with respect to certain micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries. Design A comprehensive literature review was completed. For this the electronic library databases ASFA, CABD and Scopus were systematically searched and relevant references cited in these sources were carefully analysed. The search terms used were 'fish', 'small fish species', 'micronutrients', 'food-based strategies', ‘fish consumption' and 'developing countries'. The quality of data on nutritional analyses was carefully reviewed and data that lacked proper information on methods, units and samples were excluded. Results The evidence collected confirmed the high levels of vitamin A, Fe and Zn in some of the small fish species in developing countries. These small fish are reported to be more affordable and accessible than the larger fish and other usual animal-source foods and vegetables. Evidence suggests that these locally available small fish have considerable potential as cost-effective food-based strategies to enhance micronutrient intakes or as a complementary food for undernourished children. However, the present review shows that only a few studies have been able to rigorously assess the impact of fish consumption on improved nutritional status in developing countries. Conclusions Further research is required in areas such as determination of fish consumption patterns of poor households, the nutritional value of local fish and other aquatic animals and the impact of fish intake on improved nutritional status in developing countries where undernutrition is a major public health problem.