Phosphorus
Synonym(s): Calbon-N
Nutrient group: Minerals & trace elements
Sources and physiological effects
| Dietary sources |
|
The abundant element phosphorus is present in practically all foods, whereby animal foods provide better usable phosphorus than vegetable foods. Important source include protein-rich foods such as meat, fish and cheese. Plant phosphorus sources include wheat germ and bran, beans, soybeans and Brazil nuts.
Phosphate from the phytic acid contained in cereals cannot be absorbed by humans because the intestines lack an enzyme needed for the release of phosphate. By activating the cereal's own phytase - e.g. during dough handling - phosphate is split off from the phytic acid and made usable for humans.
The simultaneous intake of active vitamin D as well as high pH values increase the bioavailability of phosphate. Certain minerals (calcium, iron, aluminum), on the other hand, worsen absorption.
Phosphates and phosphoric acid are also used as additives (“E-numbers“) in the food industry. They serve as preservatives, baking aids, thickeners and acidity regulators. Processed cheese and sausages, lemonades, cola, sweets and many ready meals also contain relatively high amounts of phosphate.
|
| Physiological effects |
| Physiological building block |
- Building block nucleic acids, phospholipid and bone matrix
|
| Bone metabolism |
- As building blocks of calcium hydroxyl apatite crystals, important regulators of bone mineralization
|
| Energy metabolism |
- As a component of ATP - energy formation and release
- Cofactor of muscle contraction, glycogenolysis and protein biosynthesis
|
| Acid-base balance |
|
| Enzyme and transmitter metabolism |
- Cofactor of cellular signal transmission as second messenger
- Cofactor of enzymes and activation of hormones by phosphorylation
|
EFSA Health Claims
| Health Claims |
EFSA Opinion |
| Phosphorus |
- Contributes to a normal energy metabolism
- Contributes to a normal function of the cell membrane
- Contributes to the preservation of normal bone
- Contributes to the preservation of normal teeth
|
 |
Recommended intake
D-A-CH Recommended nutrient intake (Reference values EFSA and NHI   ) |
| |
Age |
Phosphorus (mg/d) |
| Infants (months) |
| |
0-4 |
120 |
| |
4-12 |
300 |
| Children (years) |
| |
1-4 |
500 |
| |
4-7 |
600 |
| |
7-10 |
800 |
| |
10-13 |
1250 |
| |
13-15 |
1250 |
| Teenagers/adults (years) |
Women |
Men |
| |
15-19 |
1250 |
1250 |
| |
19-25 |
700 |
700 |
| |
25-51 |
700 |
700 |
| |
51-65 |
700 |
700 |
| |
> 65 |
700 |
700 |
| Pregnant women |
800 |
| Breast-feeding women |
900 |
| Increased need |
Competitive sports, alcohol abuse, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, short bowel syndrome |
| Recommended intake according to food labelling regulation |
|
| (=100 % TB marking on label) |
700 mg |
| Nutrient safety |
|
UL
|
Long-term daily intake at which no negative health effects are to be expected |
4000 mg/d (according to NIH) |
NOAEL
|
Maximum uptake dose, with no observed adverse effect |
1500 mg/d |
Detailed information
| Phosphorus and bone health |
|
Phosphorus and calcium are constituents and components of the calcium hydroxyl apatite crystals of the bone and thus play a major role in the structure of the skeletal system (1). Clinical studies of protein-bound calcium/phosphate complexes have shown that they have a better effect on bone density than calcium alone. Although a daily intake of a commercially available phosphorus preparation with 500 mg calcium in a placebo-controlled double-blind study could not stop bone density loss, the administration of the high quality raw material Calbon® N (calcium 500 mg/d, phosphate 224 mg/d) increased the bone density of postmenopausal women with osteopenia by 0.5 % compared to the initial value (2).
|
Reference values
| Parameter |
Substrate |
Reference value |
Description |
| Phosphorus |
Serum |
Adults
0,8 - 1,5 (mmol/l) |
Inorganic phosphate in serum |
Children ≤ 10 Jahre
1,15 - 1,9 (mmol/l) |
| Whole blood |
1,38 - 1,50 (mmol/l) |
Total phosphorus in whole blood |
| Interpretation |
| Low values |
Vitamin D deficiency, alcoholism, indigestion, burns |
| High values |
Chronic kidney failure, hypoparathyroidism |
| Note on the measurement results |
|
The interpretation of the phosphate level alone is difficult.
- At reduced values, the calcium concentration in the serum as well as the phosphate and calcium excretion should be determined simultaneously.
- At elevated values, a creatinine determination is recommended as well as a determination of the calcium concentration in the serum and the activity of alkaline phosphatase.
|
Deficiency symptoms
| Impact on |
Symptoms |
| Bones and Musculature |
Amyosthenia
bone pain, osteomalacia |
| Cardiovascular system |
Arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy |
| Nerve system |
Metabolic encephalopathy with seizures, coma |
| Digestion |
Ileus |
Indications
| Effect |
Indication |
Dosage |
Physiological effects
at a low intake |
To ensure phosphate supply in case of increased demand, e.g. performance athletes, adolescents |
300 - 500 mg/d |
| Helps with muscle weakness |
300 - 500 mg/d |
| To support bone metabolism in osteopenia and osteoporosis |
300 - 500 mg/d |
Administration
| General mode of administration |
When
|
Phosphate should be taken between meals (60 minutes before) as other micronutrients and food components can interfere with absorption. |
| Side effects |
| Acute short-term overdose can cause gastrointestinal complaints (vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea). |
| Contraindications |
|
Renal insufficiency:
- If kidney function is impaired, there is a risk of phosphate overdose due to a lack of excretion.
Low phosphate diet:
- A low phosphate diet is recommended for hyperactivity, and therefore foods containing phosphate should be avoided.
|
Interactions
| Drug interactions |
| Aluminum-containing antacids (e.g. Maalox) |
Forms insoluble complexes with phosphate and inhibit its absorption. |
| Nutrient interactions |
| Minerals and trace elements |
Calcium, iron, aluminum and boron can influence the absorption of phosphorus. |
| Vitamins |
High doses of vitamin D can lead to an increase in phosphate levels.
High phosphate levels can suppress the conversion of calcidiol and calcitriol. |
Description and related substances
| Description |
- Trace element
- Formula: P
- Ions: P3, P5+
|
| Related substances |
| Calcium glycerophosphate, magnesium glycerophosphate, iron sodium diphosphate, iron diphosphate, iron(II) phosphate, manganese glycerophosphate, potassium glycerophosphate, sodium fluorophosphate |
References
| References |
|
1) Hahn, A. et al. Ernährung. Physiologische Grundlagen, Prävention, Therapie. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft GmbH Stuttgart. 2006.
2) Calbon®-N prevents loss of Bone Mineral Density. University of Hull.
References Interactions
Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.
|
