How does phosphorus affect human health?

Phosphorus is an important mineral that exists in every cell of the body to perform their normal functions. Most of the phosphorus in the body is like phosphate (PO 4). About 85% of the body's phosphorus is found in bones. How does phosphorus affect human health?

Phosphorus and its effect on the human body

Like calcium, phosphorus is the most abundant mineral in the body. These 2 important nutrients closely cooperate for the health of strong bones and teeth. About 85% of the phosphorus in the body is found in bones and teeth, but it is also present in cells and tissues throughout the body.

Phosphorus helps filter out waste in the kidneys and plays an important role in how the body uses energy. It also helps to reduce muscle pain after a heavy workout. Phosphorus is essential for the growth, repair and "repair" of all tissues and cells, as well as for the production of genetic building blocks, DNA and RNA. Phosphorus is also needed to help balance and use other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, iodine, magnesium and zinc.

The use of phosphorus for treatment

• Phosphates (phosphorus) are used in the clinic for the treatment of the following diseases
• Hypophosphatemia, low phosphorus levels in the body
• Hypercalcemia, high levels of calcium in the blood
• Calcium in the basis of kidney stones

These ailments require a compulsory examination of the doctor.

Phosphates are also used in enemas, like a laxative. Most people get a lot of phosphorus in the diet. Sometimes athletes use phosphate supplements before competition or heavy workouts to help reduce muscle pain and reduce fatigue, although it is unclear how much it helps or improves performance.

Phosphorus in the diet

Most people get a lot of phosphorus in the diet. Mineral phosphorus supplements are found in milk, grains and foods rich in protein. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, starvation, alcoholism, can lead to the fact that the level of phosphorus in the body falls.

The same applies to conditions that prevent people from absorbing nutrients, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease. Some medicines can cause a decrease in the level of phosphorus, including some antacids and diuretics (diuretics).

Assimilation of phosphorus

Phosphorus is absorbed more efficiently than calcium. Almost 70 percent of phosphorus is absorbed from the intestine, although these rates depend on the level of calcium and vitamin D and the activity of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates the metabolism of phosphorus and calcium. Most of the phosphorus is deposited in the bones, slightly goes to the teeth, and the rest is contained in the cells and tissues. A lot of phosphorus is in the red blood cells. In plasma, phosphorus contains about 3.5 mg. (3.5 mg of phosphorus per 100 ml of plasma), and the total amount of phosphorus in the blood is 30-40 mg.

In the body, the level of this mineral is regulated by the kidneys, which are also influenced by PTH. Absorption of phosphorus can be reduced by antacids, iron, aluminum or magnesium, which can form insoluble phosphates that are excreted with feces. Caffeine causes an increase in phosphorus output by the kidneys.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7],

Food sources of phosphorus

Foods rich in protein, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts and legumes, are a good source of phosphorus. Other sources include whole grains, potatoes, dried fruits, garlic, and fizzy drinks.

Since phosphorus is a part of all cells, it is easy to find food, especially animal origin, which can provide the body with phosphorus. Most protein products are foods that are high in phosphorus. Meat, fish, chicken, turkey, milk, cheese and eggs contain its significant quantities. Most red meat and poultry contain much more phosphorus than calcium, 10 to 20 times more, while fish usually contains about 2 or 3 times more phosphorus than calcium. Dairy products contain a more balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio.

Seeds and nuts also contain high levels of phosphorus (although they contain much less calcium) as whole grains, brewer's yeast, wheat germ and bran. Most fruits and vegetables contain some doses of phosphorus and can help balance the ratio of phosphorus and calcium in a healthy diet.

[8], [9], [10]

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include loss of appetite, anxiety, bone pain, brittle bones, stiff joints, fatigue, intermittent breathing, irritability, numbness, weakness and weight change. Children have a decrease in growth and destruction of bones and teeth.

Too much phosphorus in the body actually causes more fears than too little of it. Too much phosphorus is usually caused by kidney disease or because people consume too much dietary phosphorus and not enough dietary calcium.

Some studies show that a higher intake of phosphorus is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. As the amount of phosphorus rises, there is a great need for calcium. A delicate balance between calcium and phosphorus is necessary for proper bone density and prevention of osteoporosis.

Available forms of phosphorus

Elemental phosphorus is a white or yellow waxy substance that burns on contact with air. Phosphorus is highly toxic and is used in medicine only as a homeopathic treatment. For this reason, you should take drugs with phosphorus only under the guidance of a qualified specialist. Instead, health professionals can use one or more of the following inorganic phosphates that are not toxic at typical normal doses:

• Dibasic potassium phosphate
• Single-substituted potassium phosphate
• Dibasic sodium phosphate
• Monosodium phosphate
• Three-base sodium phosphate
• Phosphatidylcholine
• Phosphatidylserine

[11], [12], [13]

Pediatric doses of phosphorus

Age	mg / day
Infants 0 - 6 months	100
Children 7 - 12 months	175
Children 1 - 3 years old	460
Children 4 - 8 years old	500
Children 9 - 18 years old	1250

 Doses of phosphorus for adults

Adults 19 years and over	700 mg
Pregnant and lactating women under the age of 18	1250 mg
Pregnant and lactating women 19 years and older	700 mg

[14], [15], [16]

 Phosphorus for the elderly (51 years and older)

At present, there is no evidence that the dose of phosphorus for the elderly is different from the doses of young people (700 mg / day). Although some multivitamin / mineral supplements contain more than 15% of the current daily dose of phosphorus, a varied diet can easily provide an adequate dose of phosphorus for most elderly people.

Nutrient interactions of phosphorus with other elements

Fructose

Studies in the US 11 adult men found that a diet high in fructose (20% of the total number of calories) led to an increase in their bladder, a loss of phosphorus and a negative balance of phosphorus (for example, daily phosphorus losses were higher than its daily dose). This effect was more pronounced when the men's diet contained a low level of magnesium.

The potential mechanism of this effect is the lack of feedback on inhibition of fructose conversion in the liver. In other words, fructose-1-phosphate accumulates in cells, but this compound does not inhibit the enzyme that phosphorylates fructose, which consumes a large amount of phosphate. This phenomenon is known as phosphate uptake.

The findings of this study are very important, as fructose consumption in the US grows faster after the introduction in 1970 of fructose-rich corn syrup, while magnesium consumption has declined over the last century.

Calcium and vitamin D

Phosphorus is easily absorbed into the small intestine, and any excess of phosphorus is excreted through the kidneys. The regulation of calcium in blood and phosphorus is interrelated through the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D. A small decrease in the blood level of calcium (for example, in case of insufficient calcium intake) is perceived by parathyroid glands, which leads to increased secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH).

This hormone stimulates the conversion of vitamin D into its active form (calcitriol) in the kidneys.

An increase in the level of calcitriol, in turn, leads to an increase in absorption in the intestine of trace elements such as calcium and phosphorus. Both substances - parathyroid hormone - PTH - and vitamin D - stimulate bone resorption, as a result of which the level of bone tissue (calcium and phosphate) in the blood increases. Although PTH results lead to stimulation and a decrease in calcium excretion, this leads to an increased excretion of phosphorus in the urine.

Increasing phosphorus output in the urine is beneficial, as a result of which the level of calcium in the blood drops to normal, because a high level of phosphate in the blood suppresses the conversion of vitamin D into its active form in the kidneys.

How high is phosphorus intake harmful to bone health?

Some researchers are concerned about the increase in the amount of phosphate in food, which can be attributed to phosphoric acid in soft drinks and phosphate additives in a number of products. Since phosphorus is not as tightly regulated by the body as calcium, the serum phosphate level may rise slightly with a high phosphorus content, especially after eating.

A high level of phosphate in the blood reduces the formation of an active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) in the kidneys, a decrease in the calcium content in the blood and can lead to an increase in the PTH release of parathyroid glands. However, a high level of phosphorus can also lead to a decrease in the output of calcium in the urine. Elevated levels of PTH can have an adverse effect on bones with minerals, but this effect was observed only in people on diets high in phosphorus and low in calcium.

In addition, similarly elevated levels of PTH were recorded in diets with a low calcium content, but with low phosphorus content. In a recent study of young women, scientists found no adverse effects of a phosphorus-rich diet (3,000 mg / day). It did not negatively affect bone, hormone levels and biochemical markers of bone resorption, even when dietary calcium intake was maintained to almost 2000 mg / day.

At present, there is no conclusive evidence that dietary doses of phosphorus can adversely affect bone mineral density. However, the substitution of phosphate-containing soft drinks and snacks from milk and other foods rich in calcium is indeed a serious danger to bone health.

Possible interactions of phosphorus

If you are currently undergoing treatment with any of the following drugs, you should not use phosphate drugs without consulting your doctor.

Alcohol

Alcohol can leach phosphorus from the bones and cause its low level in the body.

Antacids

Antacids containing aluminum, calcium or magnesium (for example, Mylanta, Amphojel, Maalox, Riopan, and Alternagel) can bind phosphates in the intestine. If you use these antacids in the long term, this can lead to a low level of phosphate (hypophosphatemia).

Anticonvulsants

Some anticonvulsants (including phenobarbital and carbamazepine or Tegretol) can reduce the level of phosphorus and increase the level of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme that helps remove phosphate from the body.

Bile acid

Bile acid preparations lower the cholesterol level. They can reduce the oral absorption of phosphates with food or supplements. Oral phosphate supplements should be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after these medications. Bile acid includes:

1. Cholestyramine (Questran)
2. Kolestipol (Kolestid)
3. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, including prednisolone or methylprednisolone (Medrol), increase the level of phosphorus in the urine.

Insulin

High doses of insulin can lower phosphorus levels in people with diabetic ketoacidosis (a condition caused by severe insulin deficiency).

Potassium or potassium-sparing diuretics

The use of phosphorus additives along with potassium or potassium-sparing diuretics can lead to too much potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). Hyperkalemia can become a serious problem, resulting in life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). Potassium and potassium-sparing diuretics include:

• Spironolactone (Aldactone)
• Triamterene (Dyrenium)
• ACE inhibitors (a medicine for blood pressure)

These drugs, called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), used to treat high blood pressure, they can reduce the level of phosphorus. These include:

1. Benazepril (Lotensin)
2. Captopril (hood)
3. Enalapril (Vasotec)
4. Fosinopril (monopril)
5. Lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil)
6. Quinapril (Accupril)
7. Ramipril (Altace)

Other medications

Other drugs can also reduce the level of phosphorus. These include cyclosporine (used to suppress the immune system), cardiac glycosides (digoxin or Lanoxin), heparins (blood thinning drugs), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, ibuprofen or Advil).

Substitutes of salt, which also contain high levels of potassium and phosphorus, can lead to a decrease in their level when used in the long term.

Precautionary measures

Because of the possible side effects and interactions of prescription and non-prescription drugs, you should take supplements with the phosopher only under the supervision of an educated physician.

Too much phosphate can be toxic to the body. This can lead to diarrhea and calcification of organs and soft tissues, and can affect the body's ability to use iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Athletes and other people with great physical activity can take supplements containing phosphate, but should do this only occasionally and under the direction and direction of the doctor.

Nutritionists recommend the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the diet. A typical western diet, however, contains about 2 to 4 times more phosphorus than calcium. Meat and poultry contain 10 to 20 times more phosphorus, calcium and carbonated drinks, such as cola, which contains phosphorus 500 mg in one serving. When the body has more phosphorus than calcium, the body will use calcium, which is stored in the bones.

This can cause osteoporosis (brittle bones), as well as lead to diseases of the gums and teeth. The balance of dietary calcium and phosphorus can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.