Phosphates are naturally occurring compounds that result when phosphorus combines with other minerals. Phosphates are also nutrients that are essential to life. Phosphate compounds perform many critical functions in the body, such as metabolism, cell functions, blood chemistry, development of genetic material and the health of teeth and bones. Humans get phosphates from foods, including the many foods to which manufacturers add phosphates for nutritional value, flavor and quality. Humans need a minimum daily intake of 0.6 to 0.7 g of phosphorus. People with certain medical conditions might need to limit phosphates, while others choose to avoid phosphates because of personal preference.
Step 1
Read nutrition labels on food packaging to find phosphorus content. Food manufacturers are not required to include phosphorus or phosphate levels on nutrition labels. However, if included, phosphate is listed as phosphorus. Look for terms that contain "phos."
Step 2
Check the phosphorus in foods that commonly contain higher levels of phosphates. Foods that are high in protein, such as dairy, meat and beans, often have high levels of phosphorous. Baking mixes and flours, and prepared baked products, contain phosphate salts that act as leavening agents. Processed sandwich meats and cheeses usually contain phosphates. Colas, energy drinks and non-dairy coffee creamers often contain phosphates. Starchy vegetables, whole grains, chocolate and organ meats also have high phosphorous levels.
Step 3
Look for phosphorus in the list of ingredients for multivitamins, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications. Multivitamins usually contain calcium and phosphorus for teeth and bone health. The calcium phosphates used in medications act as a binding agent to form pills or tablets.
Step 4
Add foods to your diet that contain lower levels of phosphorous, such as sherbet, cream cheese, cottage cheese, ginger ale, root beer, beef, pork, fish, potatoes and winter squash.
Step 5
Purchase toothpaste that does not contain phosphates. Many toothpaste brands have sodium phosphates and other types of phosphates to improve abrasiveness, act as fluoride carriers and improve the health of teeth.
Step 6
Ask your doctor about a phosphate binder, which is a medication that limits your body's absorption of phosphorous from the foods you eat.
Step 7
Confirm that your workplace conforms to U.S. Occupational Safety and Health regulations if you work in the industrial phosphorus industry and are at risk for long-term exposure to high levels of phosphorus.
Tips and Warnings
- Your doctor or nutritionist can help you identify foods and other phosphate-containing products to add or remove from your list. Hyperphosphatemia, a condition of elevated phosphorous levels that occurs with impaired kidney function, decreases blood levels of calcium and increases the risk for bone disease. People with hypoparathyroidism, a condition that affects the parathyroid glands in the neck, have low calcium levels and too much phosphorous. The condition requires blood tests to monitor phosphorous levels and dietary restrictions to lower phosphorous levels.
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