Editing Nutrient (section)

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{{Short description|Substance that an organism uses to live}}
{{Redirect|Nutrients|nutrition in humans|Human nutrition|nutrition in animals|Animal nutrition|nutrition in plants|Plant nutrition|the journal|Nutrients (journal){{!}}''Nutrients'' (journal)}}
A '''nutrient''' is a [[Chemical substance|substance]] used by an organism to survive, grow and reproduce. The requirement for dietary nutrient intake applies to [[animal]]s, [[plant]]s, [[fungus|fungi]] and [[protist]]s. Nutrients can be incorporated into cells for [[metabolism|metabolic purposes]] or [[excretion|excreted]] by cells to create non-cellular structures such as [[hair]], [[scale (anatomy)|scales]], [[feather]]s, or [[exoskeleton]]s. Some nutrients can be metabolically converted into smaller molecules in the process of releasing energy such as for [[carbohydrate]]s, [[lipid]]s, [[protein (nutrient)|protein]]s and [[fermentation]] products ([[ethanol]] or [[vinegar]]) leading to end-products of water and [[carbon dioxide]]. All organisms require water. Essential nutrients for animals are the energy sources, some of the [[amino acid]]s that are combined to create [[protein]]s, a subset of [[fatty acid]]s, [[vitamin]]s and certain [[mineral (nutrient)|minerals]]. Plants require more diverse minerals absorbed through roots, plus carbon dioxide and oxygen absorbed through leaves. [[fungus|Fungi]] live on dead or living organic matter and meet nutrient needs from their host.

Different types of organisms have different essential nutrients. Ascorbic acid ([[vitamin C]]) is essential to humans and some animal species but most other animals and many plants are able to synthesize it. Nutrients may be [[organic compound|organic]] or inorganic: organic compounds include most compounds containing carbon, while all other chemicals are inorganic. Inorganic nutrients include nutrients such as [[iron]], [[selenium]], and [[zinc]], while organic nutrients include, protein, fats, sugars and vitamins.

A classification used primarily to describe nutrient needs of animals divides nutrients into [[list of macronutrients|macronutrients]] and [[micronutrient]]s. Consumed in relatively large amounts ([[gram]]s or [[ounce]]s), macronutrients (carbohydrates, [[fat]]s, proteins, water) are primarily used to generate energy or to incorporate into tissues for growth and repair. Micronutrients are needed in smaller amounts ([[milligram]]s or [[microgram]]s); they have subtle [[biochemistry|biochemical]] and [[physiology|physiological]] roles in cellular processes, like [[vascular smooth muscle|vascular functions]] or [[action potential|nerve conduction]]. Inadequate amounts of essential nutrients or diseases that interfere with absorption, result in a deficiency state that compromises growth, survival and reproduction. Consumer advisories for dietary nutrient intakes such as the United States [[Dietary Reference Intake]], are based on the amount required to prevent deficiency and provide macronutrient and micronutrient guides for both lower and [[Tolerable upper intake levels|upper limits]] of intake. In many countries, regulations require that food product labels display information about the amount of any macronutrients and micronutrients present in the food in significant quantities. Nutrients in larger quantities than the body needs may have harmful effects.<ref name="Ensminger1994">{{cite book| first = Audrey H. | last = Ensminger | name-list-style = vanc |title=Foods & nutrition encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XMA9gYIj-C4C&pg=PA527|access-date=12 October 2010|year=1994|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-8493-8980-1|pages=527–}}</ref> Edible plants also contain thousands of compounds generally called [[phytochemical]]s which have unknown effects on disease or health including a diverse class with non-nutrient status called [[polyphenol]]s which remain poorly understood as of 2024.