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Role of Micronutrients in Neurological Development

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Role of Nutrients in Neurological Disorders

Part of the book series: Nutritional Neurosciences ((NN))

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Abstract

Food is an essential component for reinforcing the physical and mental health of an individual. Balanced nutrients are essential for normal body functions. Micronutrients such as vitamins (Vitamin-A, B12, B6, folate), minerals (iron, magnesium), and omega fatty acids have a crucial role in cognitive and neuronal function, as well as amelioration of neurological disorders. The production and storage capability of micronutrients inside the body decreases with age, and it needs to be supplemented externally through the diet. In contrast, the absence of micronutrients in the body leads to various neurological disorders. Pharmacological interventions for treating neurological disorders are restricted and are correlated with a notable risk of adverse events. Diet predominantly with micronutrient supplementation is recommended as a safe and effective way for ameliorating neurological disorders. Studies with supplementation of micronutrients have evolved from single-use vitamin/mineral to broad-spectrum micronutrients (BSM) in the ministration of neurological disorders. Suboptimal nutrition is the key to mental illness, and multi-micronutrient supplementation in addition to food intake could improve symptoms associated with neurological disorders. This chapter explains the importance of micronutrients in neurological development, the combination of micronutrient effects, recent studies on neurological disorders, improvements observed with single micronutrient supplementation, multi-nutrient supplementation, and also neuro-toxic effects of some heavy metals.

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Abbreviations

5-HTP:

5-Hydroxytryptophan

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

ADHD:

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

ALS:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ASD:

Autism spectrum disorder

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic and immunologic factors

BSM:

Broad-spectrum micronutrients

CHAP:

Chicago Health and Aging Project

CNS:

Central nervous systems

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

DALYs:

Disability-adjusted life years

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

GABA:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

GBD:

Global Burden of Disease

GWS:

Gulf War syndrome

HD:

Huntington’s disease

IDA:

Iron deficiency anemia

LCPUFA:

Long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids

NMDA:

N-methyl-d-aspartate

NT3:

Neurotrophin 3

NTD:

Neural tube defects

OCD:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

PD:

Parkinson’s disease

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

RA:

Retinoid acid

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SJW:

St. John’s wort

TK:

Transketolase

WD:

Wilson’s disease

WHO:

World Health Organization

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, Karnataka, India

    Neenu Ravikumar & Madhubalaji Chegukrishnamurthi

  2. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India

    Neenu Ravikumar & Madhubalaji Chegukrishnamurthi

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Rayalaseema University, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Swarnalatha Gadde Venkata

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  1. Neenu Ravikumar
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  2. Madhubalaji Chegukrishnamurthi
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  3. Swarnalatha Gadde Venkata
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Science, REVA University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Senthilkumar Rajagopal

  2. Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India

    Saravanan Ramachandran

  3. Department of Biotechnology, Sree Narayana Guru College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

    Geethalakshmi Sundararaman

  4. Department of Biochemistry, Rayalaseema University, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Swarnalatha Gadde Venkata

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Ravikumar, N., Chegukrishnamurthi, M., Gadde Venkata, S. (2022). Role of Micronutrients in Neurological Development. In: Rajagopal, S., Ramachandran, S., Sundararaman, G., Gadde Venkata, S. (eds) Role of Nutrients in Neurological Disorders. Nutritional Neurosciences. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8158-5_9

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