Written by Jack Feeney on January 4, 2019 Reviewed by Dr Sarah Schenker on January 29, 2019
Overview
What is phosphorus and what does it do?
After calcium, phosphorus is the most abundant mineral in your body, making up around 1% of your body weight.1 It has a number of roles in the body, and in particular, it’s crucial for:2- energy metabolism, or in other words releasing energy from food
- maintaining the structure of cells
- building strong bones and teeth
Phosphorus is available in multivitamins, or as a homeopathic remedy.
Function of phosphorus
What does phosphorus do in the body?
It helps build bones and teeth
Bones and teeth are actually made of a mineral called calcium phosphate. This means our bodies need a dietary intake of phosphorus in order for it to be converted into phosphate to help form new bone cells.5Releasing energy from food
Phosphorus – when converted to phosphate – is also an essential component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a store of immediate energy in our cells.6Making cell membranes
The mineral is also used to make a type of fat called ‘phospholipids’, which we need to make our cell membranes. Phospholipids help strengthen our cell membranes, while also giving the cells enough internal space for essential cell structures, like the nucleus.7,8How much phosphorus do I need?
Both women and men need 550mg of phosphorus each day.9Do children need phosphorus?
- 1-3 years – 270mg a day
- 4-6 years – 350mg a day
- 7-10 years – 450mg a day
- 11-18 years – 625mg a day for girls, and 775mg a day for boys10
Phosphorus foods
Which foods are the best sources of phosphorus?
Phosphorus is found in a range of foods, including fizzy drinks and processed meats. However, healthier choices include animal sources such as:11- salmon
- yoghurt
- milk and cheese
- halibut
- turkey and chicken
- beef
- eggs
- legumes, like lentils and peas
- nuts
- seeds
- wholegrains
Phosphorus deficiency
Who is at risk of phosphorus deficiency
Phosphorus deficiency is known as hypophosphatemia, but it’s very rare because most people are able to get all the mineral they need in their diet.
However, poor diets, eating disorders, alcoholism and problems absorbing phosphorus can deplete your phosphorus levels, leading to a deficiency.13What are the symptoms of a phosphorus deficiency?
- bone pain
- bone fractures
- loss of appetite
- muscle weakness
- fatigue
- anxiety14
What happens if I consume too much phosphorus?
It’s more common to have too much phosphorus in the body than too little.
Too much phosphorus can be toxic, so this means you should be careful about how much you get from supplements and also keep an eye on processed foods as many contain phosphate additives. Unlike natural phosphorus in unprocessed foods, phosphate additives are very easily absorbed by the body which means you can end up taking in too much. Foods with large amounts of added phosphate include:17- processed meats, like ham and sausages
- tinned fish
- shop-bought cakes and biscuits
- fizzy drinks, including cola
- diarrhoea
- calcification inside organs and blood vessels
- poor absorption of other minerals, including iron and calcium
Phosphorus supplements
When should I take phosphorus supplements?
As phosphorus is so widely available, your diet should provide you with the amount you need each day.
However, if you think you may not get enough phosphorus, then you could take a supplement. However, stick to 250mg or less of phosphorus a day from supplements – plus whatever you get from your diet – to avoid toxicity, according to the NHS.21Should women take a phosphorus supplement during pregnancy?
No, there’s no need to take a phosphorus supplement during pregnancy. You can get all you need from your diet.22What are the potential benefits of phosphorus?
Phosphorus is mainly needed for strong bones, but a 2010 study in Hypertension found it can help lower blood pressure, too.23 Shop Multivitamins Advice is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP before trying any remedies.Sources
1. HSIS. Phosphorus 2. European Commission. EU register on nutrition and health claims made on foods 3. NHS. Others: vitamins and minerals4. As above
5. Penido MG, Alon US. Phosphate homeostasis and its role in bone health 6. Oregon State University. Phosphorus 7. ScienceDirect. Phosphorus 8. David H. Nguyen. Sciencing. What Structural Role Do Phospholipids Play in Cells? 9. Public Health England. Government Dietary Recommendations
10. As above
11. As Source 6
14. As above
15. As Source 1
18. As Source 1
19. As Source 3
21. As Source 3
22. Ladipo OA. Nutrition in pregnancy: mineral and vitamin supplements 23. Alonso A, et al. Dietary phosphorus, blood pressure and incidence of hypertension in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)