Saturday, April 30, 2011

What is phosphorus and how is it used in the body?


Phosphorus is a chemical element occurs naturally as phosphorus rock. Phosphorus is needed in body with calcium to build strong bones. Phosphorus is essential for digestion of calcium, protein and glucose. It is found in milk, cheese, eggs and nuts. It should be mentioned that the bones are made of calcium phosphate and half of those bones are made from phosphate. Any excessive intake of phosphorus or calcium will cause an imbalance in the body therefore causing deficiency in one of the above. A scientific research has been done regarding the the intake of calcium supplements with no phosphorus which indicates that people who take these supplements without a proper balance for their phosphorus intake, could face bone loss. Some of the health problems associated with phosphorus deficiency are bone loss, numbness and stress. Parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone which regulates and acts as a balancing factor when calcium levels are too high or low and therefore body readjusts itself to maintain a proper level of this element in the body. Another organ that regulates the phosphorus and calcium balance is the kidney by the process of filtration.

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