title: [Role of micronutrients in medicine].
abstract: Adequate micronutrient intake throughout life course is essential for the maintenance of health. Micronutrients are necessary for the maintenance of intermediary metabolism, play a crucial role as co-factors or co-enzymes in the activity of virtually all enzymes, and have important functions to neutralise the deleterious effects of oxidant species. Claims have been made for the benefits of micronutrient supplementation. Clinical benefit of a supplementation is obvious in those individuals who are severely depleted and at risk of complications. More recently, the concept of subclinical deficit has been developed, which essentially relies upon biochemical abnormalities the interpretation of which remains doubtful in most instances. Symptomatology related to such subclinical deficit is non specific and the potential advantages of micronutrient supplements remain marginal and largely not well-established. In contrast, provision of excess supplements to individuals who do not need them may be harmful. In the general population, a well-balanced diet supplies an adequate intake of micronutrient. Further research is needed to identify the best markers of micronutrient and antioxidant status, so that at risk patients can be identified and appropriate supplementation provided accordingly. New large-scale trials of different doses of micronutrients, based on precise outcome markers, are required to optimise intakes in different groups of patients as well as in the general population.
authors.affiliation: Service de Diabétologie, Nutrition et Maladies Métaboliques, Département de Médecine, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgique. nicolas.paquot@chu.ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paquot
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Scheen
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients