Here’s why your body needs phosphorus to stay healthy

Phosphorus is a mineral that is extremely important when it comes to maintaining human health. From the bones to cell repair, your body needs phosphorus!
Phosphorus
You cannot afford to miss out on Phosphorus if you want to be healthy! Image source: Shutterstock
Grace Bains Updated: 23 Jul 2021, 18:12 pm IST
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We often concentrate on how important proteins and vitamins are for our body, however, most of us don’t end up giving the same attention to our mineral intake. Minerals play a crucial role in maintaining our health and phosphorus is one of them. 

Phosphorus is important to help build bones and is involved in the body’s energy production. This mineral is mainly found in our teeth and bones and is also found in all body cells. In fact, it is the second most abundant mineral in our body.

This is why phosphorus is an important mineral

Phosphorus is an important mineral that is required by the body to perform various functions. Insufficient phosphorus or ‘hypophosphatemia’, is a condition that occurs when phosphorus levels in the blood dip too low. This dip can cause your energy levels to drop and causes muscle fatigue and weakness. This causes your energy levels to drop. Another sign of lack of phosphorus in your body is weak or soft bones, couples with muscle and joint pain. 

On average, an adult requires about 700-800 mg of phosphorus as per recommended dietary allowance. Eating a balanced diet can help intake the recommended quantities of phosphorus through natural sources. Phosphorus can be naturally found in foods such as eggs, cheese, yoghurt, dark chocolate, and milk. Besides phosphorus-rich foods, the diet should also be rich in calcium and protein, as they help absorb phosphorus better.

Here’s why your body needs adequate levels of phosphorus
1. Maintaining overall bodily health

Phosphorus ensures that the body is synthesizing nutrients that are important for the development, and maintenance of bones and teeth. Critical functions such as muscle growth and recovery, as well as proper functioning of nerve signals, are facilitated by phosphorus. This mineral is part of the DNA sequence and comprises key lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, that help store energy and boost energy levels. 

2. Improves bones and muscle strength

Phosphorus helps maintain the health of bones and muscles. It works together with calcium to build bones, and its role in maintaining nucleic acids and cell membranes helps boost energy, thereby supplementing muscle growth.

Phosphorus
Phosphorus also helps the body make ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
3. Repairs cells and boosts kidney health

Phosphorus plays a vital role in storing energy and helps engage a molecule called adenosine triphosphate. This molecule helps fight fatigue, and improve metabolism. Phosphorus, when working together with B complex vitamins, boost kidney function, by regulating the serum phosphorus concentration, which ensures that urinary phosphorus excretion matches the net absorption of phosphorus..Also, its interplay with calcium helps maintain and repair damaged cells. 

So, ladies, get a hold of phosphorus-rich foods to ensure that your bone and muscle health is taken care of!

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Grace is someone who likes writing enough to make a living out of it. When she isn’t writing, you will find her having chai and reading a book. ...Read More

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