Phosphorus is an essential constituent of bones and teeth. Its deficiency is rare, but when it occurs, it is responsible for many health problems. What rate should be worried? What causes phosphorus deficiency? What are the symptoms? And how to overcome it? Explanations.
Definition: What is phosphorus deficiency?
Phosphorus deficiency occurs when the blood level of this mineral salt is less than 0.8 and 1.5 mmol/L in adults and between 1.5 and 2 mmol/L in children. "This dosage is only indicated in the presence of disorders suggestive of withdrawal: bone disorders in adults and growth retardation in children," says Florence Foucault, dietician-nutritionist.
Daily phosphorus intake
On average, the daily needs of a child up to 10 years of age amount to 500-600 mg. From the age of 10, they amount to between 700 and 800 mg per day. In athletes, the needs amount to 2.5 g / day (source: IRBMS). This mineral salt is present in almost all foods: meat, fish, eggs, cheese as well as seeds and oilseeds are the ones that contain the most.
What are the symptoms of phosphorus deficiency?
Symptoms include tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, fatigue, decreased bone mineralization, and bone pain.
What causes phosphorus deficiency?
Phosphorus deficiency can be due to severe malnutrition, anorexia, pregnancy or breastfeeding, digestive problems, or taking certain medications, especially antacids for stomach sourness. "Alcoholism can also cause hypophosphatemia as well as certain diseases, especially those affecting the kidneys," says Florence Foucault.
What are the health consequences?
Phosphorus deficiency causes anemia, a disorder responsible for great fatigue and shortness of breath. "It also leads to coordination disorders in walking, and bone disorders such as rickets; in children and osteomalacia in adults (bone demineralization, source of fractures)," says the expert.
What are the natural treatments and remedies for phosphorus deficiency?
Initially, the cause of the deficiency will be investigated: if it is related to the taking of certain drugs, their discontinuation or replacement may be considered. Then, a food rebalancing is necessary: it aims to include every day on your menu foods rich in this nutrient to cover your daily needs. "Depending on the extent of the deficiency, treatment may also be prescribed in parallel: it is the daily intake of phosphorus. It comes in the form of tablets or capsules, most often combined with calcium, to be taken for a month," recommends Florence Foucault.
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