Phosphorus is an essential mineral, meaning that your body needs it but cannot synthesize it, so you must obtain it through dietary sources. Phosphorus is found in many common foods, so dietary deficiencies are rare. A more common problem is too much phosphorus. If you have kidney disease, you may have trouble excreting excess phosphorus. In such cases, a low-phosphorus diet may help.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in your body after calcium.
It is crucial to the formation of bone and cell membranes. It also contributes to energy production and the storage of genetic information. The delivery of oxygen by red blood cells depends on phosphorus. Hormones, enzymes and cell-signaling molecules in your body rely on phosphorus and your body's acid-base balance is maintained by the buffering power of this essential mineral.
Hyperphosphatemia
Hyperphosphatemia is a condition where your blood levels of phosphate are abnormally high. Kidney disease can contribute to hyperphosphatemia. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, high phosphate levels can also cause kidney damage by causing calcifications to form in your kidneys, thus contributing to a vicious cycle of ever-increasing blood phosphorus levels and continuing destruction of your kidneys.
Mayo Clinic's Low Phosphorus Foods List
On the Mayo Clinic website, urologist Erik P. Castle states that high protein foods are generally also high in phosphorus and should be eaten only in small quantities by those with kidney disease. Kidney disease is also presents one of the few situations where refined grains are more nutritionally desirable than whole grains. Whole grains retain more phosphorus, thus are not advised for those patients with kidney disease. Castle's list of foods reveals which are high phosphorus and suggests lower phosphorus alternatives. Examples include choosing low phosphorus cream cheese over high phosphorus hard cheeses, sherbet or frozen fruit pops over ice cream or frozen yogurt, and beef, lamb or poultry over organ meats.
Considerations
The recommended dietary allowance for phosphorus is 700 mg per day for most adults. However, the Linus Pauling Institute notes that in cases where kidney function is 80 percent impaired, normal dietary amounts of phosphorus may cause hyperphosphatemia. Consult your doctor for more information about low phosphorus diets.
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