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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Western Human Nutrition Research Center » Obesity and Metabolism Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422339
Research Project: Utilizing Precision Approaches to Refine Dietary Guidance of Americans to Reduce Chronic Disease

Location: Obesity and Metabolism Research

Title: Neglected micronutrients – considering a broader set of vitamins and minerals in public health nutrition programs worldwide: A narrative review

Author
item BROWN, KENNETH - University Of California, Davis
item HESS, SONJA - University Of California, Davis
item MOORE, SOPHIE - King'S College
item COMBS, GERALD - Cornell University
item KASHMAN, KEVIN - University College Cork
item MCNULTY, HELENE - University Of Ulster
item Allen, Lindsay
item KREBS, NANCY - University Of Colorado
item PFEIFFER, CHRISTINE - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United States
item RYBAK, MICHAEL - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United States
item OSENDARP, SASKIA - Micronutrient Forum

Submitted to: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/28/2025
Publication Date: 7/2/2025
Citation: Brown, K., Hess, S.Y., Moore, S.E., Combs, Jr., G.F., Kashman, K., McNulty, H., Allen, L.H., Krebs, N.F., Pfeiffer, C.M., Rybak, M.E., Osendarp, S.J. 2025. Neglected micronutrients – considering a broader set of vitamins and minerals in public health nutrition programs worldwide: A narrative review. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.06.030.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.06.030

Interpretive Summary: There are vitamins and minerals whose deficiencies are related to metabolic and functional abnormalities, which include higher risk of sickness and death. However, this issue has not been adequately researched by large-scale, public health nutrition programs globally. These so-called neglected micronutrients include several B-vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, vitamin B12), vitamin D, vitamin K, the minerals calcium, selenium, and possibly others. Here, we report possible health impacts arising from deficiencies from each of these micronutrients. Our evaluation points towards the need for more information, based on on solid research on diets, biomarkers, and surveillance of associated health risks. Purposeful Intervention programs, e.g. the availability of wider access to nutrient-rich foods, food fortification and targeted supplementation, are a useful tool for areas where these deficiencies have been witnessed.

Technical Abstract: Several essential vitamins and minerals whose deficiencies are associated with metabolic and functional disorders, including increased morbidity and mortality from both communicable and non-communicable diseases, are not being adequately addressed by large-scale, public health nutrition programs worldwide. These neglected micronutrients include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, selenium, and possibly others. We describe briefly the health implications of each of these deficiencies and the limited available information on their epidemiology. We conclude that more information, based on dietary assessments, nutritional biomarker surveys, and systematic surveillance of associated health conditions, is needed. Appropriate intervention programs, including changes in food systems to provide wider access to nutrient-rich foods, food fortification and targeted supplementation, should be implemented in settings where these deficiencies are confirmed.