Phosphorus is a macromineral that your body does not produce on its own.  It makes up about 1% of a person’s body weight.  Phosphorus is in every single cell in the human body. 

It helps with bone formation.  It has a role with how your body uses carbohydrates and fats.  This helps your body manage your body’s energy uses and storage.  Phosphorus is important in the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.  It helps make the molecule ATP.  Phosphorus is also important for kidney function, filtering and removing waste in your body, muscle contractions, normal heart rhythm, and nerve signaling.  Phosphorus also plays a role in forming DNA and RNA.    

Your body cannot produce phosphorus on its own.  However, most people get enough phosphorus in their daily diet. 

 

How much phosphorus do you need?

  • Infants from 0-6 months old need 100 mg a day of phosphorus
  • Infants 7-12 months need 275 mg
  • Children 1-3 years old need 460 mg
  • Children 4-8 need 500 mg
  • Children 9-18 years old need 1250 mg
  • Adults over 19 only need 700 mg a day

Pregnant women do not need extra phosphorus while pregnant or breastfeeding. 

 

Foods & Phosphorus

Having a diet that is high in protein and calcium means you probably are getting enough phosphorus.  Phosphorus is high in high protein foods as well as high calcium foods. 

Examples of foods that have a lot of phosphorus in them are chicken, turkey, pork, seafood, seeds, yogurt, cottage cheese, and nuts.  Other foods that contain phosphorus but aren’t as easily absorbed by the body are garlic, potatoes, whole grains, broccoli, and dried fruits. 

Foods that have very low amounts of phosphorus are fruits, vegetables, popcorn, egg whites, breads, saltines, and cornflakes. 

Purium’s Power Shake and Super Meal LOV products can help you get the phosphorus you need.

 

Too Much Phosphorus

Your body can have too much phosphorus.  This happens rarely but too much phosphorus can be toxic.  It can cause diarrhea, hardening of organs, calcium deposits to build up in organs and muscles. 

Too much phosphorus in your body can affect how your body uses other minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.  Unresolved high phosphorus in your body can cause kidney problems or how calcium is regulated. 

Phosphate binders can be given to someone who has a tendency to have high phosphorus levels.  These phosphate binders help to stop the body from absorbing too much phosphorus.  

 

Too Little Phosphorus

Phosphorus deficiencies can occur.  Especially in people who have Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, parathyroid disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, vitamin D deficiency, or malnutrition. 

Certain medications you may be taking can also cause your phosphorus levels to drop.  Medications like insulin, ACE inhibitors, corticosteroids, antacids, or anticonvulsants. 

Symptoms of a phosphorus deficiency are fatigue, electrolyte imbalance, joint pain, bone pain, loss of appetite, irritability, anxiety, or poor bone development in children.  

 

 

Phosphorus Can Help Treat UTI

Phosphorus may be helpful when treating a UTI.  Supplements may be prescribed to help decrease the amount of urinary calcium in a person.  This calcium causes a breeding ground for bacteria. 

Phosphorus may also be helpful in preventing kidney stones in someone who is at high risk for those.  It helps lower the pH while increasing the urine acidity. 

 

Phosphorus Can Lower Osteoporosis Risk 

Phosphorus may also be helpful in preventing osteoporosis, or used as a supplement for someone who has this condition or is at risk.  Most of the phosphorus in our body is stored in the bones.  The other amount of phosphorus is free circulating through the bloodstream to be used in other biological functions. 

Phosphorus helps regulate how much calcium is in the body and gets rid of the excess.  It also works with calcium to strengthen bones.  

 

Takeaway

Most people get enough phosphorus in their diet.  It is an essential macronutrient that your body needs.  It is critical for bone and teeth development.

It is considered a macronutrient because your body needs more of it than other minerals such as iron. 

Some health conditions or medications can lower the amount of phosphorus in your body. 

Phosphorus helps with healthy bones as well as a lot more for a healthy body.  

 

 

 


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