How Micronutrients Have Shaped Human DNA: Insights from Global Genetic Adaptations

Introduction

Micronutrients are minerals required by the human body in minute amounts, often measured in micrograms or milligrams. Though small in quantity, their significance cannot be overstated — these elements underpin key physiological functions such as metabolism, immune response, development, and cellular repair. Beyond their critical roles in health, emerging research unveils that micronutrients have also played a vital role in shaping our genetic makeup throughout human evolution.

On September 10, 2025, a groundbreaking study published in The American Journal of Human Genetics (Cell Press) illuminated how ancient human populations across the globe genetically adapted to regional variations in micronutrient availability — particularly iron, calcium, zinc, selenium, iodine, magnesium, and others. This study led by Jasmin Rees, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and former University College London doctoral candidate, represents the first comprehensive global analysis investigating how multiple micronutrients have driven human evolutionary adaptations.