What is the difference between necessary and essential nutrients?
I don't think any difference. essential nutrients is the term used more frequently by health care professionals. Se the two sites below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_nutrient
http://www.tropicana.com/TRP_HealthProfessionals/OrangeJuiceNutrition/OJN_NecessaryNutrients.cfm
To understand the difference between necessary and essential nutrients, we can refer to reliable sources such as Wikipedia and Tropicana's website for health professionals.
1. Wikipedia's article on "Essential nutrient" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_nutrient) states that essential nutrients are compounds that are necessary for the normal functioning of the body, but cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must be obtained through diet.
2. Tropicana's website for health professionals (http://www.tropicana.com/TRP_HealthProfessionals/OrangeJuiceNutrition/OJN_NecessaryNutrients.cfm) provides information specifically about necessary nutrients. According to their article, necessary nutrients are the specific types of essential nutrients that are found in orange juice, such as vitamins C, B6, and folate, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium. These necessary nutrients are considered essential for optimal health.
Based on these sources, it appears that necessary nutrients are a subset of essential nutrients. While essential nutrients are necessary for the body, necessary nutrients specifically refer to the essential nutrients found in a particular food or source. The term "essential nutrients" is more commonly used in the field of healthcare, while "necessary nutrients" may be employed by specific organizations or in specific contexts.