Phosphorus, along with calcium is a component of the mineral complex hydroxyapatite in bone.
Bones are the major storehouse of phosphorus holding nearly 85 percent of our supply.
Phosphorus deficiency is rare because this mineral is found in most food, especially processed cooked foods and carbonated drinks.
Phosphorus is abundant in food supply. Food rich in protein – milk, meat and eggs generally are rich in phosphorus.
Significant amounts of phosphorus are contained in asparagus; bran; brewer’s yeast; corn; fish; dried fruit; garlic; legumes; sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds; poultry and salmon.
Nuts, beans and whole grains are also high in phosphorus. However, theses plant foods contain phosphorus in the form of phytic acid (or phytate) which is not as well absorbed.
Only about 59% of the phosphorus from phytate is available to humans because human lack enzymes (phytases) that liberate it from phytate.
Food additives especially those in processed meat and soft drinks supply up to 30 percent of our phosphorus.
Food sources of phosphorus
