Phosphorus

Role of Phosphorus in your body

• Bone structure - 80-85% of phosphorus in the body is located in the bones and teeth
• Energy production - (ATP - adenosine triphosphate and ADP - adenosine diphosphate)
• Cell membranes - (as phospolipids)
• Genetic reactions - in DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid and RNA - ribonucleic acid
• Buffering agent - to maintain osmotic pressure

Functions of Phosphorus

• Digestive - regulates absorption of calcium and a variety of trace elements Phosphorus in excess has a laxative action
• Nervous - source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), component of the myelin sheath
• Endocrine - interacts with vitamin D
• Blood - red blood cell (RBC) metabolism
• Muscular - adenosine triphosphate (ATP) needed for muscle contraction
• Skeletal - component of bone and teeth
• Immune - adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for leukocytes
• Metabolic - energy production via phosphorylation reactions
• Detoxification - in liver - via adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Phosphorus Deficiency Symptoms

arthritis, fatigue, fragile bones, reproductive problems, tooth decay, stunted growth, weakness-muscle

Phosphorus Excess Symptoms

anaemia (iron deficiency), arthritis, zinc deficiency, diarrhea, hyper excitability, tremors, irritability, calcium and magnesium deficiency.

Synergetic Nutrients

Absorption - sodium, potassium, low calcium diet, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, high fat diet
Metabolic - calcium, magnesium, B-complex vitamin (in energy production)

Antagonistic Nutrients

Absorption - calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium, vegetarian diets, vitamin D deficiency

Hair Analysis Notes

High Hair Phosphorus

An elevated phosphorus level is frequently indicative of excessive protein breakdown of 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

A low phosphorus level is frequently associated with inadequate protein synthesis. Although most diets are adequate in phosphorus, those on low-protein diets or vegetarians may have a low phosphorus intake.

Zinc is required for protein synthesis. Often a low phosphorus level is associated with a zinc deficiency, cadmium toxicity, or zinc loss. When these imbalances are corrected, the phosphorus level improves.

A low phosphorus level 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.

Sources of Phosphorus

Seafood - tuna, mackerel, pike, red snapper, salmon, sardines, whitefish, scallops, shad, smelt, anchovies, bass, bluefish, carp, caviar, eel, halibut, herring trout
Nuts/seeds - pinon, pistachios, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, filberts, hickory, peanuts, pecans.
Vegetables - chickpeas, garlic, lentils, popcorn, soybeans
Grains - wheat bran and germ, wild rice, buckwheat, millet, oats, oatmeal, brown rice, rice bran, rye, wheat
Miscellaneous - kelp, yeast, bone meal

Interaction Chart