Phosphorous: a critical mineral you should not ignore

Do you check your phosphorous levels? Most people don’t. They track cholesterol, blood sugar, and even vitamin D.

But phosphorous? Yet this mineral is quietly orchestrating some of your body’s most critical functions.

Allow me to explain.

Phosphorous is embedded in every cell membrane you have. It forms the backbone of ATP, the molecule that powers every action your cells take.

It’s in your DNA. It helps your kidneys filter waste. Without it, your bones would be fragile, your muscles weak, your nerves unable to fire properly.

But what we are seeking is homeostatic balance. Not too much not too little.

When phosphorous levels drop too low, a condition called hypophosphatemia, your cells struggle to produce energy. Your muscles weaken.

You might feel bone pain, develop irregular heartbeats, or experience confusion.

In severe cases, your red blood cells can’t carry oxygen efficiently. Your body, starved of this essential mineral, begins to falter.

The opposite is equally problematic. Excess phosphorous, hyperphosphatemia, doesn’t just accumulate harmlessly. It binds with calcium in your bloodstream, forming deposits in your soft tissues.

Blood vessels stiffen. Your heart works harder. Over time, this calcification speeds up cardiovascular disease.

Studies show that chronically elevated phosphorous levels are linked to increased mortality, particularly in people with kidney disease.

Your kidneys are the gatekeepers here. They regulate how much phosphorous you retain and how much you excrete. When they’re functioning optimally, balance is automatic.

So how can you get phosphorous?

Through protein-rich foods such as meat, dairy, beans, nuts. Your intestines absorb what you need. Your kidneys eliminate the excess.

The challenge emerges when this system is disrupted. Kidney disease impairs phosphorous excretion.

Processed foods loaded with phosphate additives flood your system with more than your body developed to handle.

Vitamin D deficiency interferes with phosphorous regulation.

You don’t need to obsess over phosphorous. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and support your kidney function. Ensure adequate vitamin D.

Your body knows how to maintain balance when you give it the right conditions.

Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain