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Phosphorus

Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body, after calcium. About 85% of phosphorus in the body exists in bone.

Functions

Phosphorus’ functions include:

Recommended Intake

Age Group Recommended Dietary Allowance
(mg/day)
0-6 months No RDA; Adequate Intake (AI) = 100
7-12 months No RDA; AI = 275
1-3 years 460
4-8 years 500
9-18 years 1,250
19 years and older 700
Pregnancy and lactation, 18 years and younger 1,250
Pregnancy and lactation, 19 years and older 700

Phosphorus Deficiency

Phosphorus deficiency is called hypophosphatemia. Since phosphorus is present in such a large variety of foods, dietary phosphorus deficiency is rare.

Symptoms of hypophosphatemia may include:

Phosphorus Toxicity

Phosphorus toxicity is rare in people with normal kidney function. However, those with kidney problems may experience hyperphosphatemia, or elevated levels of phosphorus in the blood. Hyperphosphatemia can result in decreased levels of calcium in the blood and overproduction of parathyroid hormone, which can lead to bone loss.

The following table shows the upper intake levels for phosphorus. But, it's important to note that these levels are not created for people with kidney disease. If you have problems with your kidneys and are concerned about your phosphorus intake, talk to your doctor.

Age Group Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
(mg/day)
0-12 months This amount has not been established.
1-8 years 3,000
9-70 years 4,000
70 years and older 3,000
Pregnancy and lactation 3,500 and 4,000

Major Food Sources

Are you looking to add more phosphorus to your diet? Here are some good food sources:

Food Serving Size Phosphorus Content
(mg)
Skim milk 8 ounces (227 grams) 247
Plain, nonfat yogurt 8 ounces (227 grams) 306
Part-skim mozzarella cheese 1 ounce (28 grams) 131
Egg 1 large 86
Beef 3 ounces (85 grams) 179
Chicken 3 ounces (85 grams) 135-196
Turkey 3 ounces (85 grams) 217
Fish (halibut) 3 ounces (85 grams) 244
Fish (salmon) 3 ounces (85 grams) 315
Almonds 1 ounce (28 grams) 136
Peanuts 1 ounce (28 grams) 108
Lentils 4 ounces (113 grams) 178
RESOURCES:

Choose My Plate—US Department of Agriculture
https://www.choosemyplate.gov

Eat Right—Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
http://www.eatright.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Dietitians of Canada
http://www.dietitians.ca

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

REFERENCES:

Block GA, Port FK. Re-evaluation of risks associated with hyperphosphatemia and hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients: recommendations for a change in management. Am J Kidney Dis. 2000;35(6):1226-1237.

Hyperphosphatemia—approach to the patient. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116059/Hyperphosphatemia-approach-to-the-patient. Updated February 2, 2017. Accessed March 10, 2017.

Hypophosphatemia—approach to the patient. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115235/Hypophosphatemia-approach-to-the-patient. Updated February 2, 2017. Accessed March 10, 2017.

Phosphorus. Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute website. Available at: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/phosphorus. Updated June 2014. Accessed March 3, 2017.

The benefits of phosphorus. Vitamins-Nutrition website. Available at: http://www.vitamins-nutrition.org/vitamins/phosphorus.html. Updated March 10, 2017. Accessed March 10, 2017.

Last reviewed March 2017 by Michael Woods, MD, FAAP