Lack of phosphate - symptoms, causes and treatment

What is a lack of phosphate and how much phosphorus do you need every day?

Phosphorus is a vital mineral that occurs in every cell of your body. It plays a crucial role in the formation of bones and teeth, is involved in energy production and supports the function of muscles and nerves. A Phosphorm deficiencyAlso known as hypophosphatemia occurs when the phosphate level in the blood drops below the normal value.

According to the German Nutrition Society (DGE), the recommended daily supply of phosphorus for adults is 700 mg per day. Depending on the age, children and adolescents have a higher need of up to 1250 mg daily, since they are still in growth and need phosphorus to develop bones and teeth.

Lack of phosphate symptoms

A slight lack of phosphorm often does not cause noticeable symptoms. In the event of a pronounced defect, however, the following signs can occur:

• Fatigue and weakness: Since phosphorus is involved in energy production in the cells, a deficiency can lead to chronic exhaustion and muscle weakness.
• Bone pain and deformations: Phosphorus is essential for bone mineralization. A long -lasting deficiency can lead to bone pain, osteoporosis and deformations of the skeleton.
• Disorders of the heart rhythm: Phosphorus plays an important role in muscle contraction, including the heart muscle. A deficiency can lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
• Confusion and disorientation: In the event of a severe lack of phosphorm, neurological symptoms such as confusion, disorientation and seizures can occur.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss: A persistent lack of phosphorm can affect the appetite and cause unwanted weight loss.

Causes of phosphorus deficiency

There are various reasons that can lead to a phosphorm deficiency:

• Malnutrition: An unbalanced diet with inadequate absorption of phosphorus -containing foods is a common cause of a deficiency.
• Nutritional disorders: Certain diseases of digestive tract such as celiac disease, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) or taking medication that inhibit the phosphorus absorption can affect the absorption of phosphorus.
• Excessive excretion: Kidney diseases, overactive thyroid or taking medication such as diuretics can lead to an increased excretion of phosphate via the urine.
• Genetic disorders: Rare congenital metabolic disorders such as X-chromosomal hypophosphatemia can affect the phosphate balance.

Phosphorus in food

Vegan phosphorus sources (per 100 g)

1. Hemp seeds: 1650 mg
2. Wheat bran: 1314 mg
3. Pumpkin seeds: 1233 mg
4. Sunflower seeds: 1155 mg
5. Wheat germ: 1146 mg
6. People: 870 mg
7. Chia seeds: 860 mg
8. Tafini: 752 mg
9. Paranse: 725 mg
10. Oat bran: 734 mg

Animal phosphorus sources (per 100 g)

1. Cream cheese: 875 mg
2. Parmesan: 807 mg
3. Swiss cheese: 762 mg
4. Pecorino: 760 mg
5. Mozzarella: 656 mg
6. Inkfish (cooked): 580 mg
7. Sardines (raw): 490 mg
8. Cattle liver (fried): 485 mg
9. Lamb liver (fried): 427 mg
10. Jakobsmussels (cooked): 426 mg

Fortunately, phosphorus can be found in numerous foods, so that there is generally no defect in a balanced diet. Good vegetable phosphorus sources include hemp seeds, wheat bran, pumpkin and sunflower seeds as well as poppies. Some dairy products such as cream cheese and parmesan as well as certain seafood and offal score with a high phosphorus content.

Drinking against phosphorus deficiency

In addition to a balanced, phosphate -rich diet, special Drinking meals help to cover the phosphorus requirement and prevent a deficiency. Manufacturer like Saturo offer Astronaut food on that contains an optimized nutrient combination including phosphorus.

Such drinking meals can be a sensible addition, especially for people with an increased phosphorus requirement, such as children and adolescents in growth, older people with malnutrition or patients with malabsorption disorders. They are a practical and tasty option to stabilize the phosphate level in the blood and to counteract deficiency symptoms.