Calcium and phosphorous are the two most abundant minerals in the human body. Your bones are made of calcium and phosphate, a form of phosphorus, and the two minerals play a role in many vital bodily functions. Many foods, including beans, nuts, meat, dairy products and carbonated drinks, supply phosphorus, while calcium comes from dairy products and some vegetables. Adequate amounts of both calcium and phosphate will help you stay healthy.
Bone Health
Eighty-five percent of the phosphate and 99 percent of the calcium in your body is in your bones and teeth. Phosphorous binds with calcium in the bones to form hydroxyapatite, a phosphate salt. You need both calcium and phosphates for healthy bones. Too little calcium and your bones can become brittle and porous, subject to fracture. Too little phosphate can cause actual bone pain, though phosphate deficiency is rare in the United States, since phosphates are available in so many foods. Some anorexics and alcoholics have a problem taking in enough food to provide adequate phosphorous or calcium.
Minerals in Blood
Your blood cells contain about equal parts calcium and phosphate. The two minerals play a role in blood pressure regulation and in healthy cell development. Nucleic acids, the building blocks of DNA, contain phosphates. Both calcium and phosphates help regulate various enzymes in the body, are necessary for cell reproduction and play an important role in muscle activity.
Regulation of Calcium and Phosphate
The parathyroid gland helps regulate the levels of phosphate and calcium in the blood. When the parathyroid gland senses a low level of calcium, it releases more hormones. These hormones signal the kidneys to make more vitamin D. Vitamin D triggers the intestines to absorb more calcium and phosphorus. The release of parathyroid hormone also alerts the kidneys to secrete less calcium and more phosphorus, increasing the levels of blood calcium. Too much phosphate in the blood decreases the amount of vitamin D, so reducing the amount of phosphates increases vitamin D production further, helping to further increase absorption of calcium. This complex system helps assure the right balance of both calcium and phosphate in the blood.
Effects of Calcium/Phosphorus Imbalance
While most people get plenty of phosphate in their diets, Virginia Cooperative Extension reports that about half of Americans don't get enough calcium in their diets. Too little calcium can lead to osteoporosis and has been linked to a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. If you don't get enough calcium in your diet, consult your doctor about taking a calcium supplement. Few people need phosphate supplements; rather, you may be at risk for getting too much phosphate in your diet, particularly if you regularly drink soft drinks and eat a high-protein diet. Too much phosphorus in your body forces the body to use more calcium to try to balance out the two minerals, which can further deplete calcium in bones. High phosphorus levels have also been linked to the development of kidney stones. Adults only need about 700 mg of phosphorus daily.
References
- Oregon State University; Phosphorus; August 2007
- Virginia Cooperative Extension; Calcium --- Build Strong Bones; May 2009
- Colorado State University; Endocrine Control of Calcium and Phosphate Homeostasis; R. Bowen; October 2003
- Colorado State University Extension; Diet and Hypertension; J. Anderson, L. Young and E. Long; August 2008
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