Essential nutrients are compounds that the body can’t make or can’t make in sufficient quantity. According to the WHO, these nutrients must come from food, and they’re vital for disease prevention, growth, and good health.

While there are many essential nutrients, they can be broken into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are eaten in large amounts and include the primary building blocks of your diet — protein, carbohydrates, and fat — which provide your body with energy. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients, and small doses go a long way. 

Nutritional products are more widely available than ever before, but consumers want to know exactly what is in the products that they are ingesting. Sports nutrition products, meal replacement drinks, medical formulas, vitamins, minerals and natural food supplements make up a huge market for a demanding audience. Nutritional testing can help manufacturers ensure that their products contain the right amount of amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, anti-nutrients, enzymes and other critical ingredients.