10 Warning Signs Your Body Is Need Of Phosphorus

You may have heard about calcium’s role in strengthening bones, but how many of us know about phosphorus’ contribution to bone health? It may come as a surprise that 85% of phosphorus in the body is found in your bones and teeth. You heard right! Phosphorus is an essential mineral present in trace amounts in your body but has many important functions to perform.

So Let’s get to know it better! What do we need it for? What are the possible signs of its deficiency? And what are good sources of this mineral? Today’s post will talk about all that and a lot more.

Let’s start with why we need phosphorus.

#1. IT STRENGTHENS YOUR BONES AND TEETH

80% of phosphorus in your body makes up your skeletal structure, and skeletal mineralization is an essential function of phosphorus. It is present in the form of phosphates, which are electrically charged particles. Most of these phosphates combine with calcium as hydroxyapatite crystals and the rest as non-crystalline calcium phosphate. Phosphorus deficiency often triggers bone atrophy which is the reduction in bone density due to the fast breakdown of bone substance and structure. Suppose you face an acute shortage of phosphorus; your skeleton will most likely lose all its minerals in a relatively short period, leaving you with only collagen tissues, which would have a rough time keeping everything together. You will also experience muscle pain and weakness. A long-standing phosphorous deficiency often leads to osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder characterized by weak and brittle bones. Breaking bones is quite common with this medical condition, where the hip, forearm, wrist, and spine remain the most fragile areas, vulnerable to injuries. While you are most likely to break your bone in a fall, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the minor shock of coughing or an accidental bump leaves you with an injury. However, these are less common cases of osteoporosis and only occur when you have reached the extremes of this condition. Osteoporosis is more common in females than males. 1 out of every 5 women over the age of 50 is affected by it. Many people with this condition are unaware of it until they experience a fracture or injury, but you don’t have to be a part of that category. Be vigilant about what is going on with your body, have a nutrient-rich diet, and take preventative measures such as exercising to avoid developing this condition. Studies have also shown that increasing phosphorus intake in your diet can reverse osteoporosis and restore your bones’ sturdiness. Low phosphorus reserves can cause your bones to become soft and result in rickets developing in children and osteomalacia in adults. Both conditions are excruciating, and rickets can lead to stunted growth in children. Bone deformities can further worsen the situation and permanently impact the individual. Let’s not forget your body is an abode to many nutrients which work together in unison to keep it functioning. A combined effort of nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus can provide much-needed strength to your bones. Stay on top of your nutrient intake; if one falls out of line with the team, it will be hard to maintain a healthy balance.

#2. MOVING ON, LET’S TALK ABOUT PHOSPHORUS’S VARIOUS CELLULAR ROLES

You might have ignored this nutrient, but little did you know that it has been working quietly and has had a say in almost all your primary body functions. Studies have shown that phosphorus is essential to cell membranes, DNA, RNA, and proteins.

You may ask, why is that so important?

That is because they form the basis of all your body processes. DNA is a structure that contains the vital instructions that are necessary for your growth, development, and reproductive processes. Suppose you ordered a new gadget that arrived without an instruction manual. Won’t you be left entirely clueless about how you should set that up or how you will get it working? The same happens with your body; DNA is a storehouse of all the information your body needs to keep running, and without it, you cannot function smoothly. You’re likely to experience a plethora of diseases in case of an impaired DNA sequence, so it is vital to give it special care by providing it with adequate amounts of phosphorus. Phosphorus is also crucial in deriving energy from your food, and your body needs fuel to work. Your body breaks down food into glucose, which is further broken down into Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) then phosphorus converts it into Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the cell’s energy currency, and this process of extracting ATP from food is what we call glycolysis. Studies have shown that phosphorus is an essential factor in carrying out glycolysis. It also provides the necessary stimulation and fastens the process.

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