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Phosphorus
January 2001
Phosphorus is a
mineral that is essential in the body, just like calcium; in fact 80 to 90
percent of phosphorus in the body is concentrated in the bones and teeth. It
is found in DNA and RNA (the genetic makeup) of all cells. Cells cannot form
or grow without phosphorus! B vitamins and enzymes require phosphorus to
function and it is also key in the metabolism of fats, proteins, and
carbohydrates.
Deficiencies of phosphorus are rare, thank goodness, because it is widely
distributed in foods such as dairy products, eggs, meat, fowl, legumes, and
whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice.
A word of caution: Many health professional and especially
nutritionists, worry that people who drink too much soda pop or eat too much
meat may be overdosing on phosphorus. Excess phosphorus intake interferes
not only with the absorption of iron, but can also upset the
calcium/phosphorus ratio, which may lead to osteoporosis. Regular daily
consumption of soft drinks with high meat and dairy intake can create an
imbalance of the phosphorus to calcium ratio. Increasing calcium and
decreasing foods high in phosphorus can help eliminate this imbalance.
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