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

• Bone structure:  80-85 percent of phosphorus in the body is located in the bones and teeth.

• Energy production:  ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and ADP (adenosine diphosphate).

• Cell membranes:  as phospholipids.

• Genetic reactions:  in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

• A buffering agent, helping to maintain osmotic pressure.

Functions of Phosphorus

• Digestive:  Regulates absorption of calcium and a variety of trace elements;  excessive phosphorus has a laxative action.

• Nervous:  A source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a component of the myelin sheath.

• Endocrine:  Interacts with vitamin D.

• Blood:  Regulates red blood cell (RBC) metabolism.

• Muscular:  Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is needed for muscle contraction.

• Skeletal:  A component of bones and teeth.

• Immune system:  Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for leukocytes.

• Metabolic:  Energy production via phosphorylation reactions.

• 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

• arthritis

• reproductive problems

• muscle weakness

• fatigue

• tooth decay

• fragile bones

• stunted growth

Symptoms of Phosphorus Excess

• anemia (iron deficiency)

• hyperexcitability

• arthritis

• irritability

• calcium and magnesium deficiency

• tremors

• diarrhea

• zinc deficiency

Synergistic Factors

• Adequate sodium and potassium levels, an optimal calcium diet, normal levels of natural Vitamin D3 and parathyroid hormone;  a high-fat diet

• Metabolic:  calcium, magnesium, B-complex vitamins (in energy production)

Antagonistic Factors

• Excess calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium, strict vegetarian diets, vitamin D deficiency, and overtraining syndromes

Interpreting Hair Analysis Results

High Hair Phosphorus

• An elevated phosphorus level is frequently indicative of excessive protein breakdown in body tissues.  As proteins break down, phosphorus is released.

• Phosphorus levels may increase temporarily as toxic metals are being eliminated in the course of a nutrition program.

• Very high phosphorus can indicate a serious metabolic disturbance.

Low Hair Phosphorus

• Frequently associated with inadequate protein synthesis.

• Those with low-protein diets or vegetarians may have a low phosphorus intake.

• Associated with a zinc deficiency, cadmium toxicity, or zinc loss.  When these imbalances are corrected, the phosphorus level improves.

• 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.