Phosphorus is an important mineral that is found in almost all foods. It performs a variety of functions in the human organism.
What is phosphorus?
Phosphorus represents a mineral that is essential for all living things. For example, phosphorus compounds form a component of DNA molecules and RNA molecules, which are among the carrier substances of genetic information. Phosphorus enters the body as phosphate through food. There, the mineral contributes to the stability of teeth and bones. It is also important for the production of energy and for building cell walls. The human body contains about 700 grams of phosphorus in the form of phosphate. Around 85 percent of the mineral is stored in the bones. About 105 grams are also contained in the teeth and soft tissues. Another 0.7 grams is found outside the cells, such as in the blood plasma.
Function, effect and tasks
Phosphorus fulfills various important functions in the human organism. For example, it is used as a building material for teeth and bones. Together with calcium, it comes to its incorporation in the form of hydroxyapatite, which gives bones and teeth their hardness. Phosphorus also plays a role in the transmission of signals within cells. Furthermore, the mineral serves as a component of human genetic material and as a cell membrane building block. In the form of adenosine triphosphate, it supplies energy, maintains the acid-base balance of the blood, stabilizing its pH value, and plays a role in the action of various hormones. Phosphorus is also involved in the transport of oxygen and in calcium metabolism. Together with calcium, phosphorus has a supporting function for the bones, in which most phosphorus is also present. Phosphorus is also used outside the body. For example, white phosphorus is used as a starting material for the production of phosphoric acid and for the preparation of various phosphates. Most phosphates are used as fertilizers. Other phosphorus components are processed into phosphorus (V) sulfide and phosphorus trichloride (PCI3). These form important basic materials for pesticides, plasticizers, additives and flame retardants. Red phosphorus, on the other hand, is used in the manufacture of matches. Since white phosphorus is very toxic and can ignite spontaneously, it is even used for military purposes. But phosphates are also important in the food industry, where they are used in the form of polyphosphates. In this context, they are used, among other things, for water softening, in the production of fish sticks or cooked sausages, and as a melting salt for processed cheese.
Formation, occurrence, properties and optimum values
Phosphorus is found in almost all foods. The mineral is particularly abundant in foods containing protein. These include primarily fish, meat, milk and dairy products. Phosphorus is also found in fruits and vegetables such as potatoes. Furthermore, phosphorus is a component of so-called soft drinks. When organic phosphorus compounds are absorbed by the human body, enzymes break them down into inorganic phosphate. Within the small intestine, 70 percent of the phosphorus is absorbed. Sixty to 80 percent of the mineral is excreted via the kidneys and urine. The remaining 20 to 40 percent is excreted from the body through the stool. To a small extent, sweat is also involved in the excretion process. Because phosphorus forms insoluble salts together with calcium, aluminum and iron, simultaneous intake of these substances can lead to a restriction of phosphorus absorption. The need for phosphorus depends on the calcium intake. Thus, it is recommended that both substances be supplied in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:1.2 calcium-phosphorus. As a rule, however, humans absorb considerably more phosphate than calcium. Even with a vegetarian diet, the ratio often cannot be achieved. In principle, adults need about 700 milligrams of phosphorus per day. Children up to 10 years of age should receive 500 to 800 milligrams daily. Between the ages of 10 and 19, a daily dose of 1205 milligrams is considered recommended, with a somewhat larger amount needed during growth. For pregnant and lactating women, a daily amount of 800 to 900 mg is recommended.
Diseases and disorders
As a rule, the daily phosphorus requirement can be met by a balanced diet. However, if a person suffers from certain diseases such as alcohol addiction or kidney dysfunction, there is a risk of phosphorus deficiency. The same applies in the case of artificial nutrition. Likewise, a lack of vitamin D or parathyroid hyperfunction can be responsible for a phosphorus deficiency. If the phosphate level in the blood drops, there is a risk of health impairments such as softening of the bones, which in children is known as rickets. An overdose of phosphorus in the body usually occurs only in cases of kidney dysfunction. An excessively high level of phosphate in the blood is known in medicine as hyperphosphatemia. Bone-building disorders caused by a high intake of phosphorus and a simultaneous low intake of calcium are now considered rather unlikely. In addition, physicians suspect a connection between ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and a high phosphorus intake. If phosphorus intake is too high in relation to calcium, this can lead to a disturbance in calcium balance regulation. This results in increased bone substance loss. In hyperphosphatemia, foods with phosphorus tend to be considered unfavorable. However, since a diet without phosphorus is practically impossible to implement, phosphate binders such as calcium carbonate are used for treatment.
