What does phosphorus affect? Therapeutic effect. Phosphorus in food

Phosphorus– a metalloid exhibiting various properties. There are two forms of phosphorus: white - soft and flammable, and red - non-flammable powder. Phosphorus can exhibit both oxidizing and reducing properties - it depends on the conditions. The toxic substance is white phosphorus.

Phosphorus is quite widespread in the earth's crust - calcium phosphate and other poorly soluble phosphates - fluorapatite, phosphorite, etc.

Phosphorus is widely used in industry, agriculture, and of course, in medicine - many medicines and medicinal materials are created based on its compounds.

Phosphorus is essential for human life, since practically no biochemical reaction in the body takes place without its participation.

Main role phosphorus in the body– ensuring the normal growth of bone and dental tissues, as well as the subsequent maintenance of their integrity throughout a person’s life.

In an adult, about 86% of phosphorus is found in the mineral part of bones and teeth. The remaining phosphorus is distributed in muscles, organs, and fluids.

Daily phosphorus requirement

A person needs about 1200 mg of phosphorus per day, and its deficiency is quite difficult to cause: to do this, one would have to become a strict vegetarian, and eat fruits and berries that grow on soils poor in this element.

Phosphorus in products

Phosphorus contained In many food, both plant and animal origin: nuts, legumes, cereals, whole grain products, black bread, spinach, garlic, carrots, pumpkin, cabbage, parsley, berries and mushrooms; milk, cheese, meat, fish, beef liver, sturgeon caviar, eggs.

A good natural source of phosphorus is bone meal, which has added vitamin D.

The role of phosphorus, properties of phosphorus, phosphorus in the body

Phosphoric acid is necessary for the construction of phosphatases - enzymes, without which normal chemical reactions in cells are impossible. It also takes part in fat metabolism, the synthesis and breakdown of glycogen and starch, and is part of skeletal tissue, but it is especially abundant in the tissues of nerve cells and the brain.

Chemists say that without phosphorus, not only the process of thinking is impossible, but also movement itself, since muscle contraction occurs due to the work of phosphorus compounds. The processes of fermentation and respiration also cannot occur without the participation of phosphoric acid - and these processes are basic for all living beings.

Phosphorus plays a key role in metabolism - it normalizes protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Phosphorus is also important in metabolic processes occurring inside cells and muscles.

Energy exchange cannot do without phosphorus: its known compounds - ATP (adenosine triphosphoric acid) and creatine phosphate ensure the occurrence of all necessary processes in cells, tissues, and muscles. If the reserves of these substances are not enough, the muscles will simply stop contracting, and any activity - nervous, mental or motor - will become impossible.

Along with proteins and fatty acids phosphorus forms highly active compounds - for example, lecithin, which is a mixture of phospholipids and is necessary for the formation of cell and meninges. It is known that lecithin is consumed in huge quantities by the body during stress, not only physical, but also psycho-emotional, therefore, without a sufficient amount of phosphorus necessary for its synthesis, our cells will remain unprotected.

Nucleic acids, which store and transmit hereditary information and are responsible for normal cell division and growth, also contain phosphorus.

Phosphorus compounds are involved in maintaining acid-base balance in the body, as they are part of the blood and other fluids; Thanks to phosphorus, active forms of vitamins can be formed, since it triggers the enzyme reactions necessary for this.

Arthritis will not develop quickly in those people who always get enough phosphorus, and with existing joint diseases, additional intake of phosphorus reduces pain.

Phosphorus deficiency

If after all lack of phosphorus in the body occurs, the person feels weakness and general malaise. With an imbalance of phosphorus, bursts of intellectual activity may also appear, which are replaced by nervous exhaustion. Such people can actively react to their surroundings, and then fall into apathy and depression.

Even with a sufficient supply of phosphorus, a deficiency of this element in the body may occur. This may be caused by metabolic disorders; excess of magnesium, aluminum, calcium compounds in the body; consumption large quantity carbonated drinks such as Cola or Fanta; long-term or chronic diseases, including kidney and thyroid diseases; poisoning, including drug and alcohol poisoning. In young children, phosphorus deficiency can occur when artificial feeding– this is fraught with the development of rickets.

In addition to weakness and fatigue, a lack of phosphorus can be expressed by decreased attention and appetite, pain in muscles and bones, frequent infections and colds, liver dysfunction, serious metabolic problems, hemorrhages, pathological changes in the heart, osteoporosis and a sharp decrease in immunity.

Excess phosphorus

At excess phosphorus Kidney stone disease may occur, the liver and intestines are affected, anemia and leukopenia develop - the content of leukocytes decreases; hemorrhages appear, bleeding occurs, bone tissue loses calcium, and phosphates, on the contrary, are deposited in the bones. Loss of calcium leads to the rapid development of osteoporosis.

Phosphorus poisoning disrupts the functioning of the entire digestive system, liver, kidneys, heart, and hemorrhages appear - small hemorrhages, including on the retina of the eyes.

Excess phosphorus possible due to abuse of protein products, canned food, lemonade, metabolic disorders and contact with organic phosphorus compounds - for example, at work, for a long time.

How to ensure proper absorption of phosphorus in the body?

With excess aluminum, magnesium and iron, phosphorus is ineffective, and with excess phosphorus, calcium is lost. Magnesium absorption with excess phosphorus is also impaired - and this can lead to migraines, back pain, arrhythmia and other health problems.

You just need to adjust your diet: for example, after 40 years, you should eat more leafy green vegetables and dairy products than meat, so as not to impede the functioning of your kidneys and prevent them from releasing excess phosphorus.

Canned foods to which phosphates are added are also a source of phosphorus - this must be taken into account.

Phosphorus works properly in the presence of calcium and vitamin D, but there should be twice as much calcium as phosphorus. Without phosphorus, niacin, vitamin B3, which is necessary for the functioning of the heart and kidneys, metabolic processes, cell respiration and providing them with energy, and the transmission of nerve impulses, cannot be absorbed.

The need for phosphorus increases with physical activity and lack of protein, excessive consumption of sugar, and taking certain hormonal medications. The absorption of this element is facilitated by vitamins A, D and F, potassium, as well as iron, magnesium and calcium in balanced quantities.

It is best to replenish phosphorus deficiency in the body with the help of food or dietary supplements, but sometimes it is necessary to prescribe medications: riboxin, phytin, phosphocoline, ATP and others.

If there is an excess of phosphorus, they may prescribe the introduction of special solutions, or the intake of aluminum hydroxide - it binds phosphates and slows down their absorption.

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In a worst-case scenario, available phosphorus reserves on Earth will run out within 50 years. Of course, it will not disappear from the planet, but it will no longer be possible to extract it in the same way as now.

Why do we need phosphorus anyway?

Phosphorus is present in DNA and RNA, that is, without it, life on Earth (in forms familiar to us) is impossible. In addition, it is part of ATP - adenosine triphosphate - a compound that serves as a source of energy for many biochemical and physiological processes in the body. In addition, phosphorus ensures growth and restoration of the body.

In agriculture, phosphorus is widely used in fertilizers and feed additives. This means that whether the world will be well-fed directly depends on its presence. In the first half of the 19th century, the Swiss historian and political scientist Justus von Liebig popularized the Law of the Minimum for agriculture. According to him, growth is limited by the least available resource. The hydrogen, oxygen and carbon necessary for plants are readily available from water and carbon dioxide. Since people learned to synthesize ammonia, nitrogen has also become abundant. Thus, phosphorus became the limiting factor in agriculture.

The lion's share of the world's phosphorus reserves comes from the phosphate deposit in Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that now belongs to Morocco. These mines store 70% of the available phosphorus. At the same time, scientists warn that the moment is approaching when production will not be able to keep up with the needs of people.

How did this happen?

In mines, phosphorus occurs only in combination with oxygen, forming phosphate. This is the form in which it is mined. Chemists can separate oxygen and obtain pure white phosphorus, which glows in the dark. But it is so unstable that it immediately ignites as soon as it comes into contact with air. Phosphates easily penetrate soil and water and enter living cells. And when it encounters calcium or iron, it creates poorly soluble salts.

Farming once relied on fertilizers made from bones taken from old battlefields. They consisted approximately half of hydroxyapatite - a phosphorus-containing mineral - Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂. Guano (a collection of decomposed bird droppings) also contains a lot of phosphorus and was also used in agriculture. But these resources were quickly running out, and the growing needs of people required new ways to extract phosphorus. They began to extract it from mines.

True, there are also some problems with current methods. Phosphates are easily washed out of the soil by groundwater. And phosphates from mines end up in the ocean under the influence of precipitation. There they settle to the bottom in the form of calcium phosphates or enter marine organisms, and after their death they also settle to the bottom. One way or another, they become inaccessible to us.

Inevitable losses

Everything is complicated by the fact that only 1 kilogram of phosphorus out of 5 gets into the plants that we are trying to fertilize. Partially it is washed away by groundwater, partially it combines with calcium and iron in the soil. And although the roots of some plants are able to extract phosphorus from such compounds, they cannot get all of it. On top of this, agricultural lands are deprived of phosphorus during harvest.

In the soil of virgin ecosystems - forests and wild pastures - most of the phosphorus is in the form of organic compounds. Phosphorus, absorbed by animals, plants and microorganisms from inorganic phosphates, is retained in cells in the form of organic substances: phospholipids, phytate and other phosphorus-containing compounds, and after the death of the organism it returns to the soil. This finely tuned system has evolved over millions of years. Its stability depends on the number and activity of organisms involved in this process. In agriculture, in order to maintain an abundance of microbes in the soil that can retain phosphorus, fields are fertilized with manure.

However, livestock farming - the only source of the required amount of manure - itself requires huge amounts of phosphorus. Its compounds are involved in all processes associated with the growth of livestock. Therefore, they artificially enrich the diet of animals. A vicious phosphorus deficiency circle!

People themselves waste a lot of phosphorus in vain. Most of it, even when it gets into our food, ends up in the sewer. There are technologies that make it possible to extract it from Wastewater, but they are still too expensive to be used in practice.

We actively disperse phosphorus around us, and it is also, although through no fault of ours, that the ocean floor is covered. With all this, we should take a closer look at the microorganisms living in the soil and the role they play in maintaining phosphorus. Otherwise, our world will no longer be able to feed itself at an affordable price.

Sea fish must be included in the diet, because it contains a lot of phosphorus, say nutritionists and doctors. But why do we need it and how does a lack of phosphorus in the body affect human health?

Phosphorus and its importance for the body

Phosphorus is one of the most common chemical elements on Earth, so the earth’s crust consists of 0.08-0.09% of this substance. In the human body, phosphorus is also approximately 1% of body weight and is part of almost all cells. Up to 85% of phosphorus is contained in the hard tissues of bones and teeth, and another 15% takes part in the transmission of nerve impulses, the synthesis of hormones and enzymes and in metabolic processes, that is, in all the most important chemical reactions human body.

Functions of phosphorus:

• Ensuring the growth and maintaining the strength of bones and teeth is the most important function of phosphorus. Phosphorus, along with calcium, ensures normal growth and development of bone tissue in children and adolescents, and in adults it protects bones and teeth from destruction;
• synthesis of nerve cells, hormones and enzymes - phosphorus is involved in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, neurons, hormones and enzymes, substances that ensure the transmission of hereditary information in cells, the transmission of nerve impulses and many other reactions, for example, the synthesis of vitamins;
• participates in metabolism - without phosphorus, the exchange of proteins and carbohydrates, as well as intracellular metabolism, is impossible;
• maintaining acid-base balance - phosphorus is part of the blood, lymph and other liquid tissues of the body;
• participation in energy metabolism - phosphorus is part of ATP and other compounds, the breakdown of which produces energy, due to which muscles contract and metabolic processes occur in the blood and cells;
• ensuring the functioning of the cardiovascular and urinary systems - a decrease in phosphorus has an extremely negative effect on the state of the cardiovascular system and kidney function.

Causes of phosphorus deficiency

Every day, an adult, healthy person should receive up to 1500 mg of phosphorus, because this substance cannot be synthesized in our body, and the daily loss of phosphorus in urine can be about 1000 mg. Moreover, phosphorus is absorbed only with sufficient calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A and D and some other microelements.

Phosphorus deficiency in the human body is quite rare, since this element is found in almost all products of animal and plant origin. But, unfortunately, only about 70% of phosphorus salts are absorbed with food and not all of this amount will be beneficial for the human body. As the chemical industry V food products began to add various phosphates: sodium phosphates E 339, potassium phosphates E340, calcium E 341, ammonium E342, magnesium E343 or phosphoric acid - E 338. Such additives contain carbonated drinks, various candies and chewing gums, sausages, milk powder and cream and much, much more. Once in the body, these substances are not used for their intended purpose, but accumulate in it, disrupting metabolism, kidney function and destroying joints and connective tissue.

Alimentary or primary phosphorus deficiency practically does not occur; a lack of this substance in the body can occur due to:

• metabolic disorders;
• excessive consumption of carbonated drinks, various food additives and dyes;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• chronic or long-term acute diseases;
• poisoning – chemicals, alcohol or other substances;
• taking medications - long-term use of drugs containing aluminum, magnesium and some other substances can cause phosphorus deficiency, since their excess interferes with the normal absorption and assimilation of phosphorus;
• following a “protein-free” diet - long-term restriction of protein foods in the diet can also cause a lack of phosphorus in the body, including due to a lack of calcium, vitamin D and A;
• artificial feeding - in young children, a lack of phosphorus can be caused by feeding unadapted infant formula or unsuitable products such as cow's milk, dairy products and so on.

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency

Phosphorus deficiency may not be diagnosed by patients for quite a long time, since this condition does not have characteristic symptoms.

With a slight deficiency of phosphorus, a person experiences constant malaise, his performance decreases, his interest in life disappears, he becomes apathetic or, conversely, too irritable, his sleep and appetite worsen. If the amount of phosphorus supplied with food does not increase or it is not absorbed, signs of depression of the higher nervous system appear: memory and intelligence deteriorate, and mood swings appear.

With a pronounced lack of phosphorus, the following is observed:

• weakness, drowsiness, headaches - and these symptoms are constantly present and do not depend on external factors: duration of sleep, rest and amount of exercise;
• trembling in the muscles, weakening of muscle tone, decreased physical activity - without phosphorus, muscles weaken and a person has difficulty performing normal types of work or suffers from pain and tremors in the muscles;
• loss of appetite – when the concentration of phosphorus in the blood decreases, a sharp decrease or complete absence of appetite is typical;
• feelings of anxiety, fear, irritation - due to changes in nervous system unreasonable anxieties, fears, constant feelings of irritation and attacks of aggression arise;
• changes in skin sensitivity - numbness of the skin of the upper and lower limbs, or vice versa, the skin becomes too sensitive, any touch, cold or warm objects can cause an unpleasant sensation or even pain;
• disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular and urinary systems - metabolic disorders, decreased ATP levels cause changes in the functioning of the heart muscle and the glomerular system of the kidneys;
• pathologies of the osteoarticular system - the most characteristic feature lack of phosphorus. Pain in the joints, bones, joint deformation, degenerative diseases and frequent fractures can occur not only due to calcium deficiency, but also due to phosphorus deficiency;
• hematological disorders - lack of phosphorus causes the development of anemia, thrombocytopenia and decreased production of leukocytes.

What to do if you have a phosphorus deficiency

With a severe lack of phosphorus, you can only help by discovering the exact cause of the development of deficiency of this substance, since such a condition is always secondary.

And to make up for the deficiency, the following are most often prescribed: medications, such as riboxin, phytin, phosphocoline, ATP and others.

If the phosphorus deficiency is minor, correction of diet and diet can cope with it.

The absorption of phosphorus is possible only with a sufficient amount of calcium and vitamin D, but at the same time, excess phosphorus interferes with the normal absorption of calcium, magnesium and other trace elements. Therefore, you can enrich your diet with foods rich in phosphorus or take special supplements only if there is a laboratory-proven deficiency of this substance.

And to prevent phosphorus deficiency you can:

• eat more animal products - fish, liver, eggs, butter, dairy products not only contain a lot of easily digestible phosphorus, but are also rich in calcium, vitamins D and A, which help the normal absorption of phosphorus;
• be sure to add fresh green vegetables and fruits to your diet, as well as more nuts and dried fruits.

The record holders for phosphorus content are: mushrooms, dry yeast, wheat bran, pumpkin seeds, zucchini, nuts, beans, sea ​​fish, liver and dairy products.

Phosphorus is included in the list of essential chemical elements necessary for the human body. It is widespread in nature and makes up approximately 0.9% of the mass globe. Although this element does not occur in nature in its pure form. It has high chemical activity, so it is in combination with other chemical elements. Moreover, such compounds involving phosphorus are extremely important for the biochemical reactions taking place in the body.

Why this chemical element is extremely important for us, what functions it performs in the body, where we can replenish its reserves, we will look in more detail on our website www.site, in an article on the topic: phosphorus is found in products: which ones.

Why does the body need phosphorus?

Approximately 70% of the phosphorus found in the human body is found in bones and teeth. Together with calcium, these elements form the structure of bone tissue and its strength. Moreover, the ratio of these two substances plays a huge role here. For example, the ratio of calcium to phosphorus should be 2:1. If the elements are equal, the bones will become hard but brittle, like glass.

However, its main merit is that it serves as an energy carrier in the body. That is, it turns the eaten lunch into the movement of our muscles and brain activity, transfers the energy received from food to the nerves and tissues of the body.

This element is very important for children. With its help, the full development of the nervous, circulatory system, and brain cells occurs. Therefore, for normal development and functioning, the child’s body needs to receive foods containing phosphorus.

In addition, the element promotes the complete absorption of vitamins, fats, proteins, and normalizes metabolic processes. Phosphorus is also involved in the process of assimilation and conversion of food into vital energy.

It will not be an exaggeration to say that almost all human life is connected with this element. Compounds that contain phosphorus supply the body with energy and affect muscle contractions and nerve impulses. It affects biosynthesis, ensures the supply of other useful substances to internal organs. Therefore, it is impossible to do without it.

Even a slight deficiency of this element leads to bone osteoporosis. A person’s intellectual abilities also noticeably decrease, and overall performance decreases.

If there is a significant shortage of this element, memory loss may occur, even short-term loss, interest in life disappears, and a person quickly gets tired of even the slightest stress. Irritability, unreasonable anxiety, trembling and numbness of the hands appear.

How much phosphorus does a person need?

The daily requirement for this microelement varies. But in general it amounts to:
For an adult - 1200 -1600 mg per day
Children of the first year of life - 300-500 mg
Children from 1 year to 3 years - approximately 800 mg
Children from 3 to 7 years old - 1350 mg
Child from 7 to 10 years old - 1600 mg
Adolescents from 11 to 18 years old - 1800 mg.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers need 1800-2000 mg per day.

Moreover, if a person is physically active, goes in for sports or physical labor, and his daily physical activity is very high, the necessary need for it increases.

It is also necessary to remember that you need to monitor the ratio of phosphorus and calcium in the body. There should be twice as much calcium.

What foods contain phosphorus?

As you and I already know, phosphorus is vital for every person. Now it remains to find out how to provide yourself with this element in sufficient quantity.

Most healthy people do not require special nutritional supplements containing phosphorus, they receive it through food. Phosphorus is found in varying amounts in almost all food products. It enters the body with food, in the form of chemical compounds with other elements. But some foods contain more phosphorus than others. Let's list them:

So, in first place are brewer's yeast, pumpkin seeds, village chicken eggs, sprouted wheat grains, rye grains, barley, sturgeon caviar, salmon and sardines.

There is a lot of it in cod liver, oceanic fish, seafood, and raisins.

This element is found in whole cow's milk, chicken meat, green peas, spinach, hazelnuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, hazelnuts.

There is a lot of phosphorus in buckwheat, pearl barley, oatmeal, walnuts, legumes, soybeans, lentils.

Phosphorus is also found in beef, apples, pears, cucumbers, cauliflower, cheeses, fresh radishes, celery, and mushrooms.

This element is best absorbed from milk and dairy products. The child's body absorbs up to 90% of it from milk.

After milk, it is best absorbed from meat, fish and seafood. Of these, we absorb approximately 70% of phosphorus.

The body can absorb no more than 20% of this chemical element from plant foods.

It should be remembered that without harm to health, a person should receive up to 5 g of phosphorus from food. But it is necessary to ensure the supply of calcium. Moreover, calcium should be supplied 2 times more. It is the violation of this ratio that is dangerous for the human body. But excess phosphorus in itself is not dangerous.

Knowing the benefits of phosphorus for the body and its necessity for the full development of children, try to diversify your family’s menu with products that contain this useful chemical element. Be healthy!