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Phosphorus: What It Does and How Much You Need

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Phosphorus teams up with calcium to build strong bones and teeth, and it's a key part of DNA and the energy molecule ATP. Deficiency is rare since it's found in many foods like meat, fish, dairy, seeds, and legumes.

Daily value

700 mg

What It Does

About 85 % of the phosphorus in your body is stored in your bones and teeth. The rest plays a key role in energy metabolism (as part of ATP), makes up cell membranes, and is a building block of DNA and RNA. It also helps maintain the body's acid-base balance.

Too Little vs. Too Much

With a typical diet, phosphorus deficiency is uncommon. It's actually more common to get too much. Phosphates (additives E338–E341, E450–E452) are used as stabilizers and acidity regulators in processed meats, processed cheeses, and soft drinks.

If you have chronic kidney disease, your body may have trouble clearing phosphorus, and your doctor might recommend limiting it. In that case, it helps to know which foods are highest in phosphorus.

Daily values are US Dietary Reference Intakes for adults 19–50. Nutrient content of foods varies with variety and cooking method. This is general information and does not replace advice from a doctor or dietitian.