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Low Phosphorus Diets

Phosphorus is a mineral that primarily resides in the bones. The body contains a significant amount of phosphorus. In fact, phosphorus is second only to calcium as the most abundant mineral in the body. The body uses this phosphorus for many functions including forming healthy bones, moving your muscles, preventing certain forms of cancer and developing tissue and organs. Sometimes, however, you can have too much of it and need a low-phosphorus diet.

  1. How Does the Body Use Phosphorus?

    • Phosphorus is absorbed through your small intestine. After the mineral is absorbed, the bones store it until it can be used. About 85 percent of the phosphorus in your body is in your bones. Another 10 percent flows in the bloodstream. The remainder is in tissues and cells. When there is extra phosphorus in the body, the kidneys dispose of it. A healthy adult should consume between 800mg and 1,200mg of phosphorus daily.

    Foods with Phosphorus

    • Phosphorus is found in large amounts in most dairy products. All milks as well as milk products, whole grains, and nuts contain a significant amount of it. If you are trying to avoid foods containing a lot of phosphorus, avoid organ meats as well as dairy. Avoid eating meats that come from the kidneys, liver, tongue and heart of any animal. Soft drinks also contain large amounts of phosphorus.

    Too Little Phosphorus

    • It is not very probable that you will ever suffer from a phosphorus deficiency. Especially now, with all of the processed foods that the average person eats, it is only in rare cases that you will hear of someone suffering from a phosphorus deficiency. Signs of not having enough phosphorus include joint pain, low energy, weak bones, loss of appetite and stiffness.

    Too Much Phosphorus

    • It is much more likely that you will hear of a person suffering from too much phosphorust. If you have kidney disease, you will probably be asked to avoid taking in too much phosphorus. If your kidneys begin to malfunction, your phosphorus level will become high because your kidneys take away excess amounts of the mineral. Too much phosphorus can cause the amount of calcium in your body to decrease, which may eventually lead to bone disease. You may also be at risk for bone disease if you take more dietary phosphorus than dietary calcium.

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