Phosphorus: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Aluminum phosphate, Calcium phosphate, Potassium phosphate, Sodium phosphate
Scientific name(s)
phosphorus
Family or group:
Minerals and trace elements
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Constipation ✪✪✪✪✪
Sodium phosphates are used as saline laxatives. Sodium phosphate is an FDA-approved ingredient among over-the-counter oral and rectal products to treat constipation. On the other hand, sodium phosphate tablets are also FDA-approved to cleanse the colon before a colonoscopy. For bowel preparation before a colonoscopy, 3 to 4 prescription tablets were used, each containing 1.102 grams of sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and 0.398 grams of anhydrous dibasic sodium phosphate, taken with 8 ounces of water every 15 minutes for a total of 20 tablets the evening before the colonoscopy.
Posologie
Oral
4.5 g
Adults
sodium phosphate
Hypophosphatemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Oral intake of sodium or potassium phosphate is effective for preventing and treating hypophosphatemia. Treatment of hypophosphatemia with oral phosphates requires monitoring of serum electrolyte levels to determine the appropriate dosage.
Posologie
Oral
550 mg
Adults
sodium phosphate
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Aluminum phosphate and calcium phosphate are FDA-approved ingredients in over-the-counter antacids.
Posologie
Oral
550 mg
Adults
aluminum phosphate
Bone health ✪✪✪✪✪
European health authorities (EFSA, European Food Safety Authority and the European Commission) have considered that products containing phosphorus can claim to contribute to normal energy metabolism, to the normal functioning of cell membranes, to the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, and to the growth of children and the development of their bones.
Posologie
By mouth
550 mg
Adults, Children
Acid-Base Balance ✪✪✪✪✪
Phosphate plays a primary role in maintaining acid-base balance through the renal excretion of hydrogen ions.
Posologie
By mouth
550 mg
Children, Adults
Child Development ✪✪✪✪✪
European health authorities (EFSA, European Food Safety Authority and the European Commission) have considered that products containing phosphorus can claim to contribute to normal energy metabolism, to the normal functioning of cell membranes, to the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, and to the growth of children and the development of their bones.
Posologie
By mouth
160 - 640 mg
Children
Kidney Stones ✪✪✪✪✪
Oral potassium phosphate supplementation may help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones in patients with hypercalciuria. Potassium and sodium phosphate salts providing 1200 to 1500 mg of elemental phosphate per day have been used.
Posologie
By mouth
1200 - 1500 mg
Adults
sodium phosphate
Sustained reduction in urinary calcium during long-term treatment with slow release neutral potassium phosphate in absorptive hypercalciuria
Sports performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research shows that phosphate salts can improve physical performance. Indeed, phosphate salts have been shown to increase levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in red blood cells, thereby increasing oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues. Evidence regarding the effects of sodium phosphate on physical performance remains contradictory. A very small clinical study shows that taking 4 g of sodium phosphate as sodium phosphate tribasic dodecahydrate for 6 days before a 16 km cycling time-trial increases average power by about 10% and decreases the time needed to complete the trial by 3% in trained male cyclists. Other small clinical trials show that taking the same form of sodium phosphate at 50 mg/kg of lean body mass, in four divided doses per day for 6 days, slightly improves work, power, and maximal oxygen uptake during high-intensity cycling exercise. Other clinical research shows that taking calcium phosphate or potassium phosphate orally does not improve physical performance.
Posologie
Oral
4 g
6 - days
Adults
sodium phosphate
Effects of Sodium Phosphate Loading on Aerobic Power and Capacity in off Road Cyclists
Effect of repeated sodium phosphate loading on cycling time-trial performance and VO2peak
Sodium phosphate as an ergogenic aid
Osteoporosis ✪✪✪✪✪
In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and low phosphate intake, taking 1800 mg of calcium per day as tricalcium phosphate for 12 months improves lumbar spine and hip bone density. However, it is not more effective than taking the same amount of calcium as calcium carbonate.
Posologie
Oral
550 mg
Adults
tricalcium phosphate
Synergies
Properties
Essential
Phosphorus is an essential element for the body, as it is involved in many cellular reactions, notably glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, which are the main sources of ATP. Phosphorus is also important for vital metabolic processes such as DNA and RNA synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and bone mineralization. In addition, phosphate plays a major role in maintaining acid-base balance through renal excretion of hydrogen ions.
Usages associés
Bone density
In adults, phosphorus accounts for 0.65% to 1.1% of the body. Phosphorus is mainly present in bone as hydroxyapatite (85%) and in the intracellular compartment (14%). At the bone level, phosphorus is necessary for osteogenesis and is likely transferred into osteoblasts via a Na/Pi cotransporter, probably of type 3. Hypophosphatemia causes an increase in intestinal calcium absorption and an increase in blood calcium. This can inhibit the formation of new bone.
Usages associés
Digestive effect
When taken orally, aluminum phosphate neutralizes gastric acid. On the other hand, sodium phosphates are used as saline laxatives. They cause an influx of fluids into the intestine by osmotic action and by increasing peristalsis.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Infant 7 to 11 months: 160 mg
Child 1 to 3 years: 250 mg
Child 4 to 10 years: 440 mg
Child 11 to 17 years: 640 mg
Adult 18 years and older: 550 mg
Pregnant women 18 years and older: 550 mg
Breastfeeding women 18 years and older: 550 mg
Interactions
Médicaments
Erdafitinib: strong interaction
Taking erdafitinib with phosphate salts increases the risk of hyperphosphatemia. Patients taking erdafitinib are recommended to limit their phosphate intake to a maximum of 600 to 800 mg per day.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Phosphate: moderate interaction
Calcium and phosphate interact in the intestine to form insoluble salts, which reduces the absorption of calcium and phosphate. To avoid this interaction, calcium and phosphate doses should be separated by at least 2 hours.
Phosphorus: moderate interaction
Iron and phosphate interact in the intestine and form insoluble precipitates, which reduces the absorption of iron and phosphate. This effect appears to be increased in the presence of calcium, which can stabilize the precipitate. Phosphates may also promote the oxidation of ferrous iron to the ferric form, which is less well absorbed. To avoid this interaction, iron and phosphate doses should be separated by at least 2 hours.
Phosphorus: moderate interaction
Magnesium binds phosphate in the intestine, which reduces the absorption of magnesium and phosphate. Magnesium salts, generally in combination with aluminum or calcium salts, are used to reduce phosphate levels in patients with renal failure. To avoid this interaction, magnesium and phosphate doses should be separated by at least 2 hours.
Precautions
Heart disorders: use with caution
Use sodium-containing phosphates with caution in people with heart disease.
Cirrhosis: use with caution
Use sodium-containing phosphates with caution in people with cirrhosis.
Renal impairment: use with caution
Serum electrolytes should be closely monitored in people with mild to moderate renal impairment who use phosphate.
