Obesity, a major global health issue, arises from an energy imbalance leading to excessive fat accumulation. This condition significantly increases the risk of numerous non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and various cancers. Recent studies reveal a concerning trend: people with a high body mass index (BMI) often experience micronutrient deficiencies—despite the essential role these nutrients play in immunity, metabolism, and cellular function. These deficiencies are also linked to elevated disease risks, complicating the health landscape for those affected.
The etiology of micronutrient deficiencies in people with a high BMI is not yet fully understood, but several mechanisms have been proposed. These include dietary inadequacies, altered nutrient absorption, and changes in micronutrient distribution due to adipose tissue expansion and associated inflammation. Furthermore, factors such as mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress can disrupt micronutrient balances, affecting their levels and efficacy in the body. Despite the significance of these findings, research on how obesity specifically alters micronutrient homeostasis remains sparse. There is an urgent need to explore how obesity-related inflammation may indirectly increase the risk of chronic diseases through nutrient impairment.
This Research Topic aims to elucidate the complex interactions between obesity and micronutrient metabolism, focusing on absorption, distribution, and excretion processes. By enhancing our understanding of micronutrient requirements and evaluating the reliability of biomarkers in the context of obesity, we can refine nutritional guidelines and intervention strategies. We invite contributions that illuminate various aspects of this interplay, including:
- Studies assessing micronutrient dynamics and deficiencies in people with a high BMI: Investigating how obesity affects the levels and availability of essential micronutrients.
- Research exploring the impact of obesity-related factors on nutrient homeostasis at the cellular level: Examining micronutrient transport mechanisms, storage, and the role of inflammation.
- Investigations into how obesity modifies micronutrient status markers: Developing obesity-specific biomarkers to more accurately reflect nutrient deficiencies in this population.
- Comprehensive reviews (narrative, scoping, systematic, meta-analyses): Discussing the links between obesity and micronutrient regulation, highlighting gaps in current knowledge and potential avenues for future research.
Keywords:
micronutrient biomarkers, inflammation, oxidative stress, non-communicable disease, Obesity, Malnutrition, micronutrients, Micronutrient deficiencies, High BMI, Nutrient absorption, Metabolism, Chronic diseases, Nutritional guidelines, Biomarkers, Nutrient homeostasis, Adipose tissue, Dietary inadequacies, Cellular dynamics, Mitochondrial dysfunction
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Obesity, a major global health issue, arises from an energy imbalance leading to excessive fat accumulation. This condition significantly increases the risk of numerous non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and various cancers. Recent studies reveal a concerning trend: people with a high body mass index (BMI) often experience micronutrient deficiencies—despite the essential role these nutrients play in immunity, metabolism, and cellular function. These deficiencies are also linked to elevated disease risks, complicating the health landscape for those affected.
The etiology of micronutrient deficiencies in people with a high BMI is not yet fully understood, but several mechanisms have been proposed. These include dietary inadequacies, altered nutrient absorption, and changes in micronutrient distribution due to adipose tissue expansion and associated inflammation. Furthermore, factors such as mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress can disrupt micronutrient balances, affecting their levels and efficacy in the body. Despite the significance of these findings, research on how obesity specifically alters micronutrient homeostasis remains sparse. There is an urgent need to explore how obesity-related inflammation may indirectly increase the risk of chronic diseases through nutrient impairment.
This Research Topic aims to elucidate the complex interactions between obesity and micronutrient metabolism, focusing on absorption, distribution, and excretion processes. By enhancing our understanding of micronutrient requirements and evaluating the reliability of biomarkers in the context of obesity, we can refine nutritional guidelines and intervention strategies. We invite contributions that illuminate various aspects of this interplay, including:
- Studies assessing micronutrient dynamics and deficiencies in people with a high BMI: Investigating how obesity affects the levels and availability of essential micronutrients.
- Research exploring the impact of obesity-related factors on nutrient homeostasis at the cellular level: Examining micronutrient transport mechanisms, storage, and the role of inflammation.
- Investigations into how obesity modifies micronutrient status markers: Developing obesity-specific biomarkers to more accurately reflect nutrient deficiencies in this population.
- Comprehensive reviews (narrative, scoping, systematic, meta-analyses): Discussing the links between obesity and micronutrient regulation, highlighting gaps in current knowledge and potential avenues for future research.
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Keywords:
micronutrient biomarkers, inflammation, oxidative stress, non-communicable disease, Obesity, Malnutrition, micronutrients, Micronutrient deficiencies, High BMI, Nutrient absorption, Metabolism, Chronic diseases, Nutritional guidelines, Biomarkers, Nutrient homeostasis, Adipose tissue, Dietary inadequacies, Cellular dynamics, Mitochondrial dysfunction
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
