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Micronutrients and inflammation

Iron, zinc, B12 and potassium — the pattern matters more than any single pill.

Beyond vitamin D and magnesium, a handful of other micronutrients come up often in inflammation-adjacent nutrition research. Here's a brief, honest overview of each — none of them a magic fix on their own.

Iron

Found in red meat, legumes and leafy greens; both deficiency and excess have been studied in relation to immune function, making it a "get tested, don't guess" nutrient.

Zinc

Found in meat, shellfish, legumes and seeds; plays a role in immune signalling, with deficiency more common in strict plant-based diets without planning.

Vitamin B12

Found almost exclusively in animal products; anyone eating a fully plant-based diet should discuss supplementation with a doctor, as deficiency can be serious if unaddressed.

Potassium

Found in vegetables, fruit and legumes; studied in relation to blood pressure regulation alongside sodium intake.

The pattern, not the pill: for most people without a diagnosed deficiency, getting these from a varied whole-food diet is preferable to supplementing blind. See our Supplements & Inflammation overview for more.

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