Why is the Mineral Phosphorus Essential for your Health?

Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in our bodies, with 85% found in our teeth and bones. This mineral is essential for the repair and growth of cells and tissues. 
Most people get enough phosphorus through their diet. In actuality, it is often more common to have too much phosphorus in our bodies than not enough.

However, if phosphorus is too high or  too low can cause medical issues. For example, too much 

phosphate can cause diarrhea, as well as a hardening of organs and soft tissue. It can also affect our body’s ability to effectively use other minerals, such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Excess phosphorus can be caused by kidney disease or overeating phosphorus and not enough calcium. 

Phosphorus levels can drop too low in certain health conditions like diabetes and alcoholism, or when taking some medications like antacids, insulin, ACE inhibitors, corticosteroids, and anticonvulsants. Symptoms of low phosphorus may include joint or bone pain, loss of appetite, irritability or anxiety, fatigue, and reduced bone development in children.

When the appropriate amount of phosphorus is present in our bodies we experience the following health benefits

• build strong bones and teeth
• promotes healthy digestion
• supports the kidneys in eliminating toxins from the body
• combats fatigue and weakness
• helps prevent arthritis and osteoporosis
• ensures a healthy brain function

• the body can carry out biochemical processes, which include pH regulation and energy production and management
• grow, maintain, and repair tissue and cells
• helps regulate hormones
• balance and use vitamins such as vitamins B and D, as well as other minerals like iodine, magnesium, and zinc
• assist in muscle contraction
• maintain a regular heartbeat
• facilitate nerve conduction
• reduce muscle pain after exercise

You will be happy to know that most foods contain phosphorus. Notably, many of the foods that are high in calcium or protein are also high in phosphorous such as:

• meat and poultry
• fish
• eggs
• nuts and seeds
• beans
• whole grains, such as rice bran, wheat bran, quinoa, wheat germ, oats
• potatoes
• garlic
• dried fruit
• Mushrooms

As you can see, phosphorus is an essential mineral for the body, it is the key for many functions in the body to work correctly and to eat phosphorus rich foods can prevent many chronic illnesses, including autoimmune conditions.