how many essential nutrients
6 Essential Nutrients and Why Your Body Needs Them. Essential nutrients. Essential nutrients are compounds that the body canât make or canât make in sufficient quantity. According to the World Health Organization, these nutrients must come from food, and they are vital for disease prevention, growth, and good health. While there are many essential nutrients, they can be broken up into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are eaten in large amounts and include the building blocks of your diet by providing the body with energy: protein, carbohydrates, and fat.