Phosphorus
PHOSPHORUS
This is one among the macro elements. It is second to calcium as the most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential and present in relative high amount in animal tissues; bones and teeth contain 85% of phosphorus in the body. The remaining 15 is found in various compounds which contribute to body functions. It doesn’t exist in a single form exist in combined form as phosphate. It makes up 1% of person total body weight. Phosphorus is never found free in nature, but is widely distributed in combination with minerals. Phosphate rock, which contains the mineral apatite, an impure tricalcium phosphate, is an important source of the element. Phosphorus is most commonly found in nature in its pentavalent form in combination with oxygen as phosphate (PO43−). Phosphorus (as phosphate) is an essential constituent of all known protoplasm and is uniform across most plant and animal tissues.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES
1. Phosphorus is important in building of some body parts such as bones and teeth along with calcium and magnesium. Mineral crystals laid down during bone calcification are made up of calcium phosphate and calcium hydroxide.
2. Helps in the absorption and transport of nutrients. Phosphorylation of nutrients and other biochemicals is essential for proper distribution within the body. Many nutrients must be combined with a phosphate group) to enable transport across cell membranes e.g. ATP and ADP (which are made up of phosphorus). For this case it has an important role with aid of co-enzyme A and ATP.
3. Facilitation of energy transactions. It is a temporary storage and transfer of energy derived from metabolic fuels Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) and Adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) which is made up of phosphorus. Energy released during oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins is stored by cells within structure of ATP
. 4. As part of buffer salts (buffering of acid or alkali in excess), it regulates acid-base balance and normal pH in the body. Phosphate ions and phosphate-containing compounds can combine with hydrogen ions when conditions become too acidic
5. Regulation of protein activity. Many proteins including enzymes are converted from active to inactive forms by phosphorylation reactions that attach phosphate groups to certain amino acids within the proteins.
6. Component of essential body compounds. Many essential body compounds contain phosphorous e.g. DNA, RNA, cell membranes (as phospholipids), ATP, ADP, coenzymes and some vitamins. DNA and RNA are essential for genetic coding and protein synthesis.
METABOLISM
Phosphorus enters the body through diet body containing Phosphorous, the element pass into the blood after being absorbed in small intestine. Any excess phosphorus is ejected from the body through kidneys. Regulation of phosphorus together with Calcium in the body is controlled by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Parathyroid gland interacts with vitamin D to control amount of phosphorous in the blood, amount of phosphorous retained by the kidneys, amount of phosphorous released form or deposited in the bones. Slight decrease of calcium in blood causes release of parathyroid hormones which stimulates translation of vitamin D in the kidney to its active form. Increased levels of calcium in the blood leads to increased intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorous by stimulation of parathyroid hormone, leading to reduced excretion of calcium in the urine and increased excretion of phosphorus.
DIETARY SOURCES
It is mostly found in high amount in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, sardines, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products. Other sources include whole grains, legumes, nuts, soft drinking also have added phosphorus. Small amount is found in vegetables and fruits.
RECOMMENDED REQUIRMENTS
According to Linus institute the following intake is recommended daily. Adults (19 years and older)-700 mg/day Children (9 to 18 years)-1250 mg/day Children (4 to 8 years)-500 mg/day Children (1 to 3 years)-460 mg/day Infants (7 to 12 month)-275 mg/day Infants (0 to 6 month)-100 mg/day High phosphorus level can affect body ability to effectively use the minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Symptoms of low phosphorus in the body are such as point or pain, loss of appetite, poor bone development in children.
This is one among the macro elements. It is second to calcium as the most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential and present in relative high amount in animal tissues; bones and teeth contain 85% of phosphorus in the body. The remaining 15 is found in various compounds which contribute to body functions. It doesn’t exist in a single form exist in combined form as phosphate. It makes up 1% of person total body weight. Phosphorus is never found free in nature, but is widely distributed in combination with minerals. Phosphate rock, which contains the mineral apatite, an impure tricalcium phosphate, is an important source of the element. Phosphorus is most commonly found in nature in its pentavalent form in combination with oxygen as phosphate (PO43−). Phosphorus (as phosphate) is an essential constituent of all known protoplasm and is uniform across most plant and animal tissues.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES
1. Phosphorus is important in building of some body parts such as bones and teeth along with calcium and magnesium. Mineral crystals laid down during bone calcification are made up of calcium phosphate and calcium hydroxide.
2. Helps in the absorption and transport of nutrients. Phosphorylation of nutrients and other biochemicals is essential for proper distribution within the body. Many nutrients must be combined with a phosphate group) to enable transport across cell membranes e.g. ATP and ADP (which are made up of phosphorus). For this case it has an important role with aid of co-enzyme A and ATP.
3. Facilitation of energy transactions. It is a temporary storage and transfer of energy derived from metabolic fuels Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) and Adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) which is made up of phosphorus. Energy released during oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins is stored by cells within structure of ATP
. 4. As part of buffer salts (buffering of acid or alkali in excess), it regulates acid-base balance and normal pH in the body. Phosphate ions and phosphate-containing compounds can combine with hydrogen ions when conditions become too acidic
5. Regulation of protein activity. Many proteins including enzymes are converted from active to inactive forms by phosphorylation reactions that attach phosphate groups to certain amino acids within the proteins.
6. Component of essential body compounds. Many essential body compounds contain phosphorous e.g. DNA, RNA, cell membranes (as phospholipids), ATP, ADP, coenzymes and some vitamins. DNA and RNA are essential for genetic coding and protein synthesis.
METABOLISM
Phosphorus enters the body through diet body containing Phosphorous, the element pass into the blood after being absorbed in small intestine. Any excess phosphorus is ejected from the body through kidneys. Regulation of phosphorus together with Calcium in the body is controlled by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Parathyroid gland interacts with vitamin D to control amount of phosphorous in the blood, amount of phosphorous retained by the kidneys, amount of phosphorous released form or deposited in the bones. Slight decrease of calcium in blood causes release of parathyroid hormones which stimulates translation of vitamin D in the kidney to its active form. Increased levels of calcium in the blood leads to increased intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorous by stimulation of parathyroid hormone, leading to reduced excretion of calcium in the urine and increased excretion of phosphorus.
DIETARY SOURCES
It is mostly found in high amount in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, sardines, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products. Other sources include whole grains, legumes, nuts, soft drinking also have added phosphorus. Small amount is found in vegetables and fruits.
RECOMMENDED REQUIRMENTS
According to Linus institute the following intake is recommended daily. Adults (19 years and older)-700 mg/day Children (9 to 18 years)-1250 mg/day Children (4 to 8 years)-500 mg/day Children (1 to 3 years)-460 mg/day Infants (7 to 12 month)-275 mg/day Infants (0 to 6 month)-100 mg/day High phosphorus level can affect body ability to effectively use the minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Symptoms of low phosphorus in the body are such as point or pain, loss of appetite, poor bone development in children.
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