The Role of Phosphorus (P) In The Human Body
Phosphorus, (P), is an essential mineral found in every cell of the body. It is required for normal function and 85% of the mineral is found in the bones. Efficient absorption and availability in food makes it less important major mineral in diet planning. Approximately 70% of dietary intake is absorbed and most of it takes place in the lumen of the small intestine. Excess is excreted via the kidneys. Loss in the urine increases as concentration of phosphorus in the blood increases.
|
|
Phosphorus plays several important roles in the body as it is one of the most essential elements. Approximately 85% of phosphorus is found in the bones and teeth in the form of calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) and the remaining in every other cell and extracellular fluids. It is a component of many enzyme systems such as DNA, RNA, ATP and part of cell membranes (phospholipids). Phosphorus is also one of the body’s important puffers for the maintenance of normal pH.
Chronic deficiency of phosphorus can result in bone loss and poor tooth development, bone pain, joint stiffness, anorexia, weakness and irritability. Foods such as meat, milk, nuts, fish, cheese and bread provide most of the needs for this mineral. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for phosphorus is 700 mg/day for adults. Deficiency is unlikely in healthy adults as they usually consume twice the RDA.
Typical daily intakes are not toxic but excessive amounts can lead to health problems with individuals having kidney disease. Chronic imbalances in the calcium to phosphorus ratio intake in the diet can result in bone loss from high phosphorus intake. Some researchers are concerned about the growing amounts of phosphates in the diet which can be assigned to phosphoric acid in soft drinks and phosphate additives in a number of commercially prepared foods.
Because phosphorus is not as tightly regulated by the body as calcium, serum phosphate levels can somewhat climb up, with a high phosphorus diet, particularly after meals. High phosphate levels in the blood reduce the formation of the active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) in the kidneys, reduce blood calcium, and result to raised Parathyroid hormone (PTH) release. The upper level for phosphorus in adults is 3 to 4 g/day.
Phosphorus, P, Essential Mineral Phosphorus
Click On Sitemap for Complete List of Articles
