MODULE - 4

CULINARY NUTRITION

joe.com

1
 Minerals

OVERVIEW
Minerals are inorganic chemical elements that the body needs for healthy growth and metabolism.
They are also involved in making hormones and enzymes. Minerals are just as important vitamins and
in fact work in conjunction with vitamins to perform many bodily functions such as bone formation,
heart function and digestion.
Minerals are simple inorganic elements that are non-caloric and remain as ash when the food or
organic compound where they are found is completely burnt. On the other hand, carbohydrates, proteins
and fats can be oxidized completely to carbon dioxide and water with the release of energy.
Minerals are found in unrefined foods mostly in combination with other organic constituents.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Categorize minerals as Microminerals or Microminerals
2. Describe the different functions of minerals
3. Recognize the nutritional significance of major minerals and discuss the distribution,
utilization, Food sources, recommended nutrient intake, deficiency and toxicity associated with
the essential minerals.

Classification of Minerals

Minerals essential to man are classified as macro minerals and micro minerals accdg. To the amount
present in the amount present in the body.
Classifying minerals is according to essentiality to human nutrition as follows:
1. Minerals that are definitely proven to be essential for human nutrition include calcium,
phosphorous, magnesium, sulfur sodium, chlorine, potassium, iron, copper, manganese,
zinc, iodine, molybdenum, selenium, chromium, fluorine.
2. Minerals that are questionable and need further experimentation include nickel, boron,
cadmium, lithium, silicon, tin and vanadium.

Functions of Minerals
a. STRUCTURAL This refers to the presence of the mineral in significant amounts to be part of
the cells or body fluids or as an important component of molecule.
Examples are calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the bones and teeth; iron in the red blood
cells; iodine in thyroxin in gastric secretion; zinc in insulin; and copper in cytochrome enzymes.
b. REGULATORY These include physiological processes for normal functioning of tissues or
body fluids.

1. Maintenance of acid-base Balance Some minerals are acid forming like chlorine, sulfur
and phosphorus; others are base forming such as calcium, sodium, potassium and
magnesium. Sodium is present mainly in the extra cellular fluids.
2. Catalysts for Metabolic reactions Phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium
catalyze or hasten the anabolism of glucose to form glycogen. Fatty acids are formed into
lipids with the aid of magnesium and manganese.
3. Regulator of Muscle Contractility Minerals that maintain normal contraction and
relaxation of muscles include magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium.
4. Transmitter of never impulses During the stimulation of a nerve fiber, sodium and
potassium exchange with each other across the cell membrane to facilitate the transmission

2
 of nerve impulse. The transmission of a nerve impulse from one nerve cell to another depends
on the presence of acetylcholine, which in turn is regulated by calcium.

The Essential Macrominerals

There are seven macro minerals sometimes called major minerals that are essential to
human beings, namely:
1. Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. Your body contains 2 to
3 ponds of calcium. For proper calcium absorption, vitamin D, fluoride and silicon
are needed.
Main Functions
Calcium is necessary for bone and tooth formation, heart function, blood coagulation
and muscle contraction. Calcium has a role in controlling blood pressure and may help
prevent colorectal cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, PMS and osteoporosis.
Leg cramps may be alleviated with calcium.
Food Sources
Calcium is present in a number of foods, but the assimilation varies depending on
the kind of food.

Foods that supply ½ of RNI Foods that supply 1/3 of RNI

Kuhol (snail) Cheese
Gatas (milk) Seaweeds (balbalulang, gamet,kulot)
Hipon tagunton (shrimp fry) Smallfishes (galungong, biya)
Talangka (tiny crabs) Dried hibe (tiny shrimps)
Sardines Malunggay, gabi, ampalaya leaves
Dried dilis (anchovies) Saluyot and other green leafy veg’s.

Deficiency Symptoms
Lack of calcium in the causes retarded growth and development among growing children.
The deficiency disease, known as rickets is caused by lack of calcium or phosphorus or vitamin D.
Among adults, the disorder is called osteomalacia ( adult ricket) There is softening of the bones due to
the reduction of its mineral content. Tetany is another deficiency disorder characterized by uncontrolled
reaction of muscle tissue and increased excitability of the nerves due to lack of circulating ionized
calcium Osteoporosis is not the same as osteomalacia: The former is due to along standing lack of
calcium intake, estrogen and exercise or active physical activity.
2. Phosphorus
Is the second most abundant mineral in the body, making up about 1% of your
body weight.

Main Functions
The normal person has about one percent phosphorus is involved in bone and tooth
formation, and it helps release energy from nutrients. It is involved in almost all body processes and is
part of the genetic code of cells. It is also part of the structure of all soft tissues and organs. Phosphorus
acidifies urine and reduces the incidence of kidney stones.
Food sources
A diet adequate in calcium and protein usually has adequate phosphorus. Thus protein-rich
foods such as cheese, milk and dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and dried beans are excellent
sources of phosphorus.
Deficiency Symptoms
3
 Severe Hypophosphatemia can cause skeletal myopathy and cardiomyopathy. Chronic
moderate hypophosphatemia frequently result in osteomalacia or rickets.
Phosphorus is found so abundantly in plant and animal foods that deficiency is unlikely.
Excess vomiting or consumption of aluminum hydroxide, found in some antacids and anticonvulsant
medications, may lead to phosphorus deficiency. Symptoms include bone pain, loss of appetite, weakness
and brittle bones.
Chronic use of aluminum hydroxide gels can cause phosphate depletion and an
accompanying increase in bone resorption and urinary Ca excretion. A deficiency of phosphorus will
affect formation of ATP and other metabolic functions.
3. Potassium
Potassium is a major nutrient in fruits and vegetables and is the predominant positive
electrolyte in body cells. To avoid high blood pressure, try to keep your potassium to sodium intake at
5:1 ratio.
Main Functions
Potassium helps maintain blood pressure and is involved in nerve transmission and muscle
contraction. In partnership with sodium and chloride, potassium helps maintain the water balance in and
out of body cells, plus it regulates blood pressure and heartbeat. It stimulates the kidneys to release toxins
from the body.
Food sources
Almost all potassium is available in unprocessed foods but is esp. rich in nuts, meat,
legumes and milk. Raw and dried fruits, fruit juices, dark green vegetables and unrefined cereals are also
high in potassium.
Deficiency Symptoms
Hypokalemia (low serum potassium) when there is malnutrition, prolonged
gastrointestinal loss of potassium as in prolonged vomiting, chronic diarrhea or gastric suction, or
diabetic loss of this mineral. Symptoms attributable to potassium deficiency include apathy, muscular
weakness, mental confusion, and abdominal distention, nausea, lack of appetite, nervous irritability and
cardiac irregularities. Replacement therapy must be instituted orally or intravenously.
Potassium deficiency is common due to the modern diet’s high salt consumption, which
stimulates the body to rid itself of the mineral. Symptoms include muscle cramps, poor reflexes, heart
irregularities, low blood pressure, respiratory failure, kidney problems, insomnia and dry skin.

4.SULFUR
The average human body contains about 1 teaspoon of sulfur. You may know sulfur as the
mineral that gives rotten eggs their distinctive smell.
Main Functions
Sulfur is necessary for the formation of hair, nails, cartilage and tissue. It is needed for
metabolism and a healthy nervous system, plus it aids bile secretion in the liver.
Food Sources
Protein contains about 1% sulfur so that a diet adequate in protein will contain enough
sulfur. No dietary deficiency of sulfur will occur if the diet is adequate in protein. Cystine may be
synthesized from methionine. Dried beans, cabbage, clams, eggs fish, garlic, legumes, meat milk onions,
poultry, wheat germ are natural food sources of sulfur.
Deficiency Symptoms

4
 A hereditary defect in tubular reabsorption of amino acid cystine may lead to excessive
excretion in the urine causing cystinuria and repeated production of cystine in the kidney causes
production of cystine kidney stones.
Sodium
Sodium is one mineral you don’t need to worry about getting enough of. The typical
modern diet has more than enough in the form of sodium chloride-otherwise known a table salt-found
in processed foods, cured meats, canned vegetables, salty snacks and condiments.
Main Functions
Sodium is an electrolyte that plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure. Along with
potassium and chloride, it regulates fluids and acid-base balance in the body. It is also
involved in nerve transmission and muscle contraction, including the heartbeat.
Food sources
Sodium is present in natural foods in varying amounts and in varying amounts and in
compounds needed to process foods. Animal sources are richer sources of sodium than plant foods. The
plant foods carrot, spinach, celery are considered to be good sources. Preservatives and additives to food
to be good sources. Preservatives and additives to food to improve the palatability and flavor also
contribute considered sources of sodium.
Deficiency Symptoms
A deficiency of sodium (hyponatremia) can occur in:
1. Dehydration as in heat exhaustion, especially ff; an intake of large amount of water
without providing the additional salt.
2. After surgical procedures with marked loss of blood.
3. After marked vomiting and diarrhea.
4. After long term and vigorous treatment with very restricted sodium diets.
If sodium deficiency happens, there is usually a reduction in the extracellular fluid and
blood volume. As a result, the veins collapse, blood pressure is low and the pulse is
rapid. Sodium chloride cannot be detected in the urine and the individual experiences
muscle cramps.
CHLORINE
In tandem with potassium and sodium, chloride is an electrolyte that helps to keep the fluid
balance in and out of the body’s cells. A diet containing lots of natural, whole food should contain
Adequate amounts of chloride.

Main Functions
Chloride regulates fluid and acid-base balance, plus forms part of gastric juice necessary
for digestion. It is necessary for the proper functioning of the liver and for healthy joints and tendons.
Food Sources
The major source of chloride is table salt. When a sodium intake is adequate, chloride
will also be provided for by the diet. There is still no established requirement for chlorine.
Deficiency Symptoms
Chloride deficiency is essentially unheard of in the developed world. Excess vomiting
or acute acid-base disorders may lead to symptoms such as digestive problems, muscle
issues, hair loss, tooth loss and even coma.
Alkalosis result when there is an excessive loss of chloride ions from the gastric secretion
during continued vomiting, diarrhea or tube drainage. The chloride ions are replaced by the
bicarbonate ions when such secretions are lost.
Magnesium

5
 More than half of the body’s magnesium is found in bone, the rest in cells, soft
tissues, muscle and blood. If the diet is low in magnesium, it is leached from the bones.
Cooking, canning and freezing destroy magnesium.
Main Functions
Magnesium is involved in the formation of bone and teeth. It is also vital for nerve
conduction and muscle contraction, plus activates enzymes that aid in the release of energy
from food. It helps control blood pressure, regulate body temperature and maintain the acid-
base balance in the body.
Food Sources
Magnesium is widespread in food, but it is abundant in nuts, soybeans, meat, milk,
cocoa, seafood, whole grains, dried beans and peas and green plants.
Deficiency Symptoms
Magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemic Tetany) has been observed among
infants and children suffering from Kwashiorkor and in diseases characterized by intestinal
malabsorption, prolonged diarrhea or vomiting. It is observed among alcoholics or persons
maintained for along periods of time on magnesium-free fluids following surgery or
diuretics. Cases of hypocalcaemia, diabetes, acute renal failure with polyuria are at risk for
magnesium deficiency.
Toxicity Symptoms
Hypermagnesium or toxicity of magnesium results in hypotension, arrhythmia or
even cardiac arrest, EGG changes, decreased tendon reflexes and coma. This condition
arises when there is severe renal insufficiency and when magnesium salts or magnesium-
containing antacids and cathartics are administered in large doses.

EVALUATION

Direction: Explain the ff. concisely.

1. Distinguish the interrelationship between major minerals.
2. What food are nutrient dense in major minerals?
3. Identify and describe the Location in the body and functions, Food sources and
Deficiency Symptoms.

6
REFERENCES

Basic Nutrition for Filipinos

Adela Jamorado-Ruiz, Virginia Serraon-Claudio.2010.
Boyle MA. 2007. Personal Nutrition 6E
Brown JE. 2008. Nutrition Now SE
Grosvenor BM.2002. Nutrition for Science and Life

Culinary Nutrition
Lolita Mendoza