Chapter 9. Micronutrients for Energy

Introduction

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

  • Describe how coenzymes enhance the activities of enzymes.
  • Name and describe the function of some key vitamins and minerals that are involved in energy metabolism.
  • Identify deficiency disorders associated with thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and iodine.
  • Describe the toxic effects of high doses of niacin and vitamin B6.

All water-soluble vitamins play a different role in energy metabolism; they are required as functional parts of enzymes involved in energy release and storage. Vitamins and minerals that make up part of enzymes are referred to as coenzymes and cofactors, respectively. Coenzymes and cofactors are required by enzymes to catalyze a specific reaction. They assist in converting a substrate to an end product. Coenzymes and cofactors are essential in catabolic pathways and also play a role in many anabolic pathways too. In this section, we will focus on the key vitamins and minerals that take part in metabolism and help us produce energy.

 

Enzyme and side for cofactor
Figure 9.1 Enzyme active site for cofactors.

Nutrition-Related Health Disparities

Existing nutritional guidelines offer clear recommendations for males and females; however, no guidelines exist for transgender or non-binary people. So where does this leave transgender or non-binary people? Should they follow micronutrient recommendations for their gender identity, or their sex assigned at birth? The short answer is we don’t know because there isn’t any research to inform recommendations for transgender or non-binary people. Research has shown that hormone therapy and/or gender-affirming surgeries are closely linked to nutrition due to their effects on weight status, body composition, lipid levels, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. For example, testosterone therapy in transgender men results in increased body mass index, decreased HDL cholesterol, and increases in LDL cholesterol.[1] Such research suggests that transgender people, who had gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy may have different nutritional needs than those who have not. Therefore, the lack of inclusivity in the existing micronutrient guidelines can create confusion and potentially negative health outcomes for non-binary and transgender people.

 


  1. Linsenmeyer, W., Drallmeier, T., & Thomure, M. (2020). Towards gender-affirming nutrition assessment: a case series of adult transgender men with distinct nutrition considerations. Nutrition Journal, 19(1), 1–8.

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Human Nutrition Copyright © 2022 by Luisa Giles and Komal Dhaliwal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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