Phosphorus

Question 1

Phosphorus

Answer 1

• Phosphorus (P) is the body’s second most abundant mineral.
• About 85% of P is found combined with Ca in hydroxyapatite crystals of bones & teeth
• In nature P is rarely free; it’s almost always bound to oxygen as ‘phosphate’ PO4

Question 2

Phosphorus: Food Sources

Answer 2

• Phosphate is an essential constituent of all plant and animal tissues and thus is widely distributed in all foods, especially:
Seeds, nuts, beans, legumes. (pumpkin, sunflower, poppy)
Meat, poultry, fish, dairy.
Soft drinks (not a recommended source)!

Question 3

Phosphorus: Roles

Answer 3

Energy
Structural
Muscle Contraction
Cell Membrane Integrity

Question 4

Phosphorus: Energy - Functions

Answer 4

• Phosphorus is a part of ATP

Question 5

Phosphorus: Energy - Therapeutic Uses

Answer 5

• Fatigue

Question 6

Phosphorus: Structural - Functions

Answer 6

• About 85% of P is found in bones and teeth (contributes to

* It is a structural component of DNA

Question 7

Phosporus: Structural - Therapeutic Uses

Answer 7

• Osteoporosis

* Osteomalacia and rickets

Question 8

Phosphorus: Muscle Contraction - Functions

Answer 8

• Creatine phosphate is a storage unit of energy in muscles.

Question 9

Phosphorus: Muscle Contraction - Therapeutic Uses

Answer 9

• Fibromyalgia

* Exercise support

Question 10

Phosphorus: Cell Membrane Integrity - Functions

Answer 10

• Phospholipids support cell membrane integrity and aid fluidity.
• Phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine (types of phospholipid) are abundant in the brain and important for cognition

Question 11

Phosphorus: Cell membrane integrity - Therapeutic Uses

Answer 11

• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Poor cognition
• Atherosclerosis
• GIT permeability

Question 12

Phosphorus Toxicity

Answer 12

• Phosphorus intake from natural foods will never lead to toxicity
• However, phosphorus as a preservative (inorganic phosphorus) as used in carbonated soft drinks, processed food, fast food, enhanced meats ) can lead to hyperphosphataemia (high P in the blood) as well as hyperactivity in children
• This could result in decreased Ca absorption as P can form a complex with Ca in chyme.
• Polyphosphates from food additives can also interfere with Zn, Cu and Fe absorption.