The action of phosphorus
Phosphorus, also known as phosphate, is a mineral essential to human health. It is located in every cell of the body and plays a role in many important functions, including energy production, bone health and nerve function.
Phosphorus is found in food as phosphate and is absorbed by the body through the intestines.
Strong bones
Phosphorus helps break down ATP, the molecule that stores energy in our cells. In addition, the mineral is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth, because it promotes the absorption of calcium.
Cell growth
Phosphorus is also involved in cell growth, cell signaling and DNA repair. Something that has to do with both physical and mental health. Without phosphorus, DNA would not function properly and cells would not be able to replicate. That means phosphorus is essential to life as we know it.
Phosphorus deficiency
It is not often that the body has a phosphorus deficiency. People ingest a correct amount of phosphorus both consciously and unconsciously. If there is a phosphorus deficiency, this is mainly due to medication use.
Symptoms of a phosphorus deficiency
Symptoms for a lack of phosphorus include muscle and bone pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and kidney stones. Although a phosphorus deficiency is uncommon, it can be serious if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the signs of decreased absorption and symptoms of this condition. Therefore, if necessary, contact your doctor. He or she will advise on supplements and foods containing phosphorus.
What if your phosphate is too high?
An overuse of phosphorus is common among humans, especially in developed countries. Phosphorus is an essential element for many biochemical processes, but also toxic in large quantities. The human body cannot excrete excess phosphorus, so it must be removed from the diet. A consequence can be kidney damage. So pay close attention to the required safe dose of phosphorus.
Safe dose
The maximum safe dose of phosphorus for an adult human is about 4000 mg per day. This is the amount of phosphorus that can be safely consumed without causing health problems. So pay close attention to what the acceptable upper limit is.
Recommended daily amount of the mineral phosphorus (RDA)
Since phosphorus is found in many different foods, it is not difficult to get the maximum safe dose of phosphorus. In addition, phosphate can be easily absorbed through food. The recommended amount is 700 mg/day for adults and 400 mg/day for children.
Some people need to be extra careful with their phosphorus intake. People with kidney disease should limit their phosphorus intake because their kidneys cannot properly remove excess phosphorus from the blood.
If you have kidney disease, it is important to take a safe dose of phosphorus and discuss it with your doctor. Phosphorus-related supplements can also come in handy here.
Phosphorus in food
Phosphorus is found in plant foods, but phosphorus is also found in animal foods. If you are looking for this, take a look at the products below from our range. The phosphorus occurs in the diet and is indicated in milligrams per 100 grams of phosphorus. In addition, the products are very healthy and also contain other minerals and vitamins.
Nuts:
- Cashews: 593 mg phosphorus
- Pistachios: 490 mg phosphorus
- Almonds: 484 mg phosphorus
Beans:
- Soybeans: 704 mg phosphorus
Seeds:
- Sunflower seeds: 660 mg phosphorus
- Hemp seeds: 1650 mg (!) phosphorus
Where does phosphorus come from?
Phosphorus is extracted from phosphate rock, a mineral containing calcium phosphate. This mineral occurs in nature, but can also be produced synthetically. Phosphate rock is the main source of phosphorus for commercial use
The process of extracting phosphorus from phosphate rock is called phosphoric acid production. Phosphorus is also extracted from animal bones and waste products. This process is called bone meal production.
Bone meal is a common source of phosphorus for organic farmers. It is a by-product of the meat industry and contains a lot of phosphorus. However, it also contains other minerals that can be beneficial to plants, such as calcium and magnesium.
The Versatility of Phosphorus: Also Found in Matches
You may already know that phosphorus is super important for your health, but what you probably didn't know is that this awesome mineral is also the star in your box of matches! Yes, really! Phosphorus ensures that your match ignites as soon as you strike it along the surface. Pretty cool, right?
So, besides the fact that phosphorus keeps your bones and teeth strong and helps your body produce energy, it's also in all sorts of things we use every day. Whether you're lighting a candle for some coziness or firing up the grill for a summer party, phosphorus is the silent force making it all possible!
It's not just in healthy foods, but also in little things around the house. This just goes to show how indispensable this mineral is in our lives, in various ways. Super interesting, don't you think?