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Dietary Phosphorus
By Thomas Stearns Lee, NMD
This article describes the roles, functions, and
sources of dietary phosphorus, as well as the symptoms of phosphorus
deficiencies and excesses. It also describes how to interpret
the results of hair analysis relating to phosphorus levels.
Roles in the Body
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Bone structure: 80-85 percent of phosphorus
in the body is located in the bones and teeth.
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Energy production: ATP (adenosine
triphosphate) and ADP (adenosine diphosphate).
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Cell membranes: as phospholipids.
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Genetic reactions: in DNA (deoxyribonucleic
acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).
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A buffering agent, helping to maintain osmotic
pressure.
Functions of Phosphorus
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Digestive: Regulates absorption of calcium
and a variety of trace elements; excessive phosphorus has a
laxative action.
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Nervous: A source of adenosine triphosphate
(ATP), a component of the myelin sheath.
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Endocrine: Interacts with vitamin D.
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Blood: Regulates red blood cell (RBC)
metabolism.
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Muscular: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is
needed for muscle contraction.
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Skeletal: A component of bones and teeth.
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Immune system: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
for leukocytes.
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Metabolic: Energy production via
phosphorylation reactions.
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Detoxification: In the liver via adenosine
triphosphate (ATP).
Dietary Sources
Seafood: tuna, mackerel, pike, red
snapper, salmon, sardines, whitefish, scallops, shad, smelt,
anchovies, bass, bluefish, carp, caviar, eel, halibut, herring,
trout.
Meats: liver (beef, chicken, hog,
lamb), rabbit, sweetbreads, turkey, beef brains, chicken, eggs, egg
yolk, lamb heart, kidney.
Nuts and seeds: pinon nuts (also known
as pine nuts or pignolias), pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds,
sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, filberts,
hickory, peanuts, pecans.
Vegetables: chickpeas, garlic, lentils,
popcorn, soybeans.
Dairy: cheeses.
Grains: wheat bran and germ, wild rice,
buckwheat, millet, oats, oatmeal, brown rice, rice bran, rye, wheat.
Other sources: chocolate, kelp, yeast,
bone meal.
Symptoms of Phosphorus Deficiency
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arthritis
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reproductive problems
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muscle weakness
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fatigue
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tooth decay
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fragile bones
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stunted growth
Symptoms of Phosphorus Excess
Synergistic Factors
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Adequate sodium and potassium levels, an optimal
calcium diet, normal levels of natural Vitamin D3 and parathyroid
hormone; a high-fat diet
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Metabolic: calcium, magnesium, B-complex
vitamins (in energy production)
Antagonistic Factors
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Excess calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium, strict
vegetarian diets, vitamin D deficiency, and overtraining syndromes
Interpreting Hair Analysis Results
High Hair Phosphorus
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An elevated phosphorus level is frequently
indicative of excessive protein breakdown in body tissues.
As proteins break down, phosphorus is released.
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Phosphorus levels may increase temporarily as
toxic metals are being eliminated in the course of a nutrition
program.
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Very high phosphorus can indicate a serious
metabolic disturbance.
Low Hair Phosphorus
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Frequently associated with inadequate protein
synthesis.
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Those with low-protein diets or vegetarians may
have a low phosphorus intake.
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Associated with a zinc deficiency, cadmium
toxicity, or zinc loss. When these imbalances are corrected,
the phosphorus level improves.
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May be due to poor digestion or assimilation of
protein. This may be due to digestive enzyme deficiency, low
hydrochloric acid level, or other factors.
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