Phosphorus
Silver· human dataA bone and energy mineral so abundant in food that shortfalls are rare.
Phosphorus is a major mineral in bone and in the ATP that powers cells. It is abundant across the diet — in protein foods, dairy, grains and especially processed foods with phosphate additives.
Because intakes are typically ample or high, deficiency is uncommon in healthy people and supplements are rarely warranted. Managing phosphorus is more often about limiting excess, particularly in kidney disease, than adding more.
Sources
Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.
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