What is Phosphorus

What is Phosphorus

Phosphorus (atomic symbol P) is an important element in all life forms. Average adults contain about 0.7 kg of phosphorus, mostly located in their teeth and bones. Your blood also contains small amounts of phosphorus. Next to calcium, it is the most abundant mineral in the human body.

Benefits of Phosphorus

The body will bind both calcium and phosphorus to form your teeth and bones. Phosphorus it not only important for the structure of your teeth and bones, but it is also important for energy production by transporting cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used by most living things to transport chemical energy for metabolism. Phosphorus is also important for protein synthesis, the process in which cells build proteins.

Deficiency is not a major issue with phosphorus because it is in so many foods. Toxicity issues can cause calcium excretion from the bones and can cause issues with your energy production & metabolism.

Phosphorus Foods

Just about any food contains phosphorus. Generally, the foods with the highest phosphorus concentration are high-protein and animal foods. Examples of these foods are chicken, eggs, almonds, dairy products, salmon, turkey, cashews, and red meat.

It is suggested adults need to consume about 800 mg of phosphorus per day. Having said that certain products, mainly sodas, that contains a different form of phosphorus that should not be consumed. It is said the best ratio of calcium to phosphorus consumption is 1:1, however, particularly in American diets; phosphorus is consumed at much higher rates.