Micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, are essential components of human nutrition, playing pivotal roles in various metabolic processes and maintaining the normal function of systems such as the cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems, as well as in erythropoiesis and bone health. Despite their importance, an imbalanced intake of these micronutrients can adversely affect human health, potentially leading to metabolic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Current dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH), which are rich in beneficial micronutrients, have been recommended for their potential to improve cardiometabolic health. Supplementation of specific micronutrients, such as folic acid and vitamin D, has also been shown to be a cost-effective intervention for improving metabolic health outcomes. However, the precise roles of many micronutrients in metabolic diseases and their underlying regulatory mechanisms remain inadequately understood, necessitating further research to elucidate these relationships and mechanisms.
This research topic aims to provide comprehensive epidemiological evidence and mechanistic insights into the metabolism of micronutrients and their impacts on human health outcomes. By doing so, the research seeks to contribute to the development of healthier dietary patterns that can prevent or mitigate metabolic diseases. The research will focus on identifying the relationships between micronutrients and metabolic diseases, assessing the long-term impacts of imbalanced micronutrient intake, and dissecting the mechanisms of micronutrient metabolism.
To gather further insights into the complex interactions between micronutrients and metabolic diseases, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Observational studies, interventional studies, and systematic reviews on micronutrient intake and its association with risk factors or incidence of metabolic diseases.
- Functional studies providing mechanistic insights into micronutrient metabolism with relevance to human health.
- Review articles on the role of micronutrients in metabolic diseases.
- Studies focusing on the health impact of combinations of multiple vitamins, minerals, or phytochemicals.
- Investigations into the long-term effects of micronutrient imbalances on metabolic health.
In the first volume of the research topic “Micronutrients and metabolic diseases”, it comprises 22 articles covering the epidemiological and mechanistic studies investigating an individual micronutrient and its influence on human health. Some micronutrients may be needed in combination to be effective. The assessment of micronutrient mixture is still lacking. Therefore, in the second volume of research topic “Micronutrients and metabolic diseases”, we also welcome observational/interventional/mechanistic studies or reviews focusing on the health impact of multiple vitamins, minerals, or phytochemicals.
Keywords: micronutrient, trace element, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
