Overview of key nutrients: micronutrient aspects.

Micronutrients are the key to optimal macronutrient metabolism because of their essential role in metabolism. Invariably, metabolic steps require the concomitant involvement of one or more vitamins and minerals. Chronic degenerative disease etiology and rate of pathogenesis are intimately associated with micronutrient imbalances. Although precise mechanisms remain to be identified, antioxidant status is critical in atherosclerosis and cancer pathogenesis. While elucidating estimates and establishing "singular" values by sex and age for parameters such as estimated average requirements, RDA, and RDI, it is imperative to arrive at these estimates in the light of their interdependent role in metabolism.