MICRONUTRIENT PATHWAYS: From Soil to Supplement Shelf Exploring the Global Journey of Essential Nutrients

In a world grappling with both malnutrition and overnutrition, micronutrients play a crucial but often overlooked role in human health. Micronutrient Pathways: From Soil to Supplement Shelf offers a comprehensive and scientific exploration of how essential vitamins and minerals travel through the global food system. From their origins in soil and plants to their presence in animal products, marine sources, and encapsulated supplements, this book reveals the intricate web that connects agriculture, biochemistry, public health, and food technology. Written for students, researchers, and professionals in food science, agriculture, nutrition, and health policy, this in-depth guide dissects the environmental, technological, and metabolic processes that determine the availability and efficacy of micronutrients. It critically examines soil health, plant uptake, animal metabolism, supplement manufacturing, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability challenges—all while highlighting the silent epidemic of global micronutrient deficiency. Whether you're seeking to understand nutrient bioavailability, evaluate food-sourced versus synthetic vitamins, or explore ethical sourcing and climate impacts, this book delivers a multidisciplinary lens on one of the most vital components of modern nutrition.