Phosphorus
The second most abundant mineral in your body!
Phosphorus
Here is a chart that gives your RDAs.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Phosphorus
Life Stage Age Males
(mg/day) Females
(mg/day)
Infants 0-6 months100 (AI) 100 (AI)
Infants 7-12 months 275 (AI) 275 (AI)
Children 1-3 years 460 460
Children 4-8 years 500 500
Children 9-13 years 1,250 1,250
Adolescents 14-18 years 1,250 1,250
Adults 19 years and older700 700
Pregnancy18 years and younger- 1,250
Pregnancy 19 years and older- 700
Breast-feeding 18 years and younger- 1,250
Breast-feeding19 years and older- 700
Phosphorus is found in almost all foods because it is a critical element of survival for all living organisms. High traces of phosphorus are often found in many meats, fish and dairy products. There is also a lot of phosphorus in beans, peas,cereal and nuts but not all of it is available because we lack the enzymes used to liberate the phosphorus in these foods.
This element is essential because it preforms a number of functions that aid human life. First, phosphorus can combine with calcium to form strength and rigidity to bones and teeth. Phosphorus is vital to the process known as metabolism in the human body. It helps to maintain an average pH level, assists in getting oxygen to tissues and aids in turning fat and carbohydrates to energy.
It is possible to buy phosphorus supplements. On vitacost.com you can buy 250 tablets of Hylands Homeopathic Phosphorus for only $5.49.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus Suppliment
Foods High in Phosphorus
Too much phosphorus and too little phosphorus
Too much phosphorus can cause:
- bone and heart problems that lead to hospital stays and in some cases death
- too much PTH to be released, which over time can weaken bones and make them more likely to break and develop renal osteodystrophy
- low blood calcium, which causes calcium to be taken from the bones
- calcification or hardening of tissues when phosphorus and calcium form hard deposits in the heart, arteries, joints, skin or lungs that can be painful and lead to serious health problems
- bone pain
- itching
Bibliography
"Linus Pauling InstituteMicronutrient Research for Optimum Health." Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
"Phosphorus." University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
"What Is the Importance of Phosphorus to Human Body?" What Is the Importance of Phosphorus to Human Body? N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.