Next to calcium, phosphorus is the most abundant mineral in the body. These two important nutrients work closely together to build strong bones and teeth. About 85% of phosphorus in the body can be found in bones and teeth, but it is also present in cells and tissues throughout the body. Phosphorus helps filter out waste in the kidneys and plays an essential role in how the body stores and uses energy. It also helps reduce muscle pain after a hard workout. Phosphorus is needed for the growth, maintenance, and repair of all tissues and cells, and for the production of the genetic building blocks, DNA and RNA. Phosphorus is also needed to help balance and use other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, iodine, magnesium, and zinc.

Most people get plenty of phosphorus in their diets. The mineral is found in milk, grains, and protein-rich foods. Some health conditions such as diabetes, starvation, and alcoholism can cause levels of phosphorus in the body to fall. The same is true of conditions that make it hard for people to absorb nutrients, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease. Some medications can cause phosphorus levels to drop, including some antacids and diuretics (water pills). Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include loss of appetite, anxiety, bone pain, fragile bones, stiff joints, fatigue, irregular breathing, irritability, numbness, weakness, and weight change. In children, decreased growth and poor bone and tooth development may occur.

Having too much phosphorus in the body is actually more common and more worrisome than having too little. Too much phosphorus is generally caused by kidney disease or by consuming too much dietary phosphorus and not enough dietary calcium. As the amount of phosphorus you eat rises, so does the need for calcium. The delicate balance between calcium and phosphorus is necessary for proper bone density and prevention of osteoporosis.

What is Phosphorus ?
An essential macromineral and vital to adequate human nutrition, phosphorus plays a key part in the function and structure of the body. In its pentavalent phosphate form, phosphorus is central to the process of bone mineralization and structural makeup of bone. In fact, the phosphorous present in bone accounts for roughly 85% of all phosphorus found in the adult human body. In addition, phosphorus is included in the structure of nucleotides and nucleic acids (including adenosine triphosphate). And, the structure of cellular membranes is composed of phosphorus in its phospholipid form. It has been said that life is built upon phosphorus.

Mineralization of bone relies on cell ability to actively transport phosphate. Recent evidence suggests that expression of a particular gene, regulated by phosphate, may be involved in bone mineralization. Science has also discovered phosphate to be involved with regulating the expression of the phosphorylated glycoprotein osteopontin, which among other things, is thought to modulate hydroxyapatite crystal elongation.

Deficiency Symptoms
Because the amount of phosphorus consumed as part of a regular diet is generally sufficient, deficiency problems are rare. However, it is possible for alcoholics and people who take large doses of antacids containing aluminum to develop a phosphorus deficiency. In addition, when looking at the relationship between calcium and phosphorus, both important for healthy bones, one study showed that the absorption of phosphorus can be negatively affected by taking calcium. The diets consumed by most individuals throughout the United States contain ample amounts of phosphorus. Still, elderly people who supplement their diets with large amounts of calcium may have an increased chance of becoming deficient in phosphorus. Because of this, those conducting the study recommend that elderly people take at least some of their calcium supplement in the form of tricalcium phosphate or other preparation containing phosphorus.