Phosphorus : An Essential Mineral For Your body

     Phosphorus is an essential mineral for bodily function. Normally, the kidneys maintain their blood levels within a healthy range. However, impaired kidney function can disrupt this balance, leading to hyperphosphatemia.

Consequences of High Blood Phosphorus

Elevated phosphorus levels can lead to:

• Pruritus: Due to phosphorus accumulation in subcutaneous tissues.
• Bone Thinning: Resulting from calcium breakdown from bones, with calcium deposits forming in soft tissues.
• Vascular Calcification: Hardening of arteries.
• Parathyroid Gland Enlargement.

Foods High in Phosphorus

Understanding phosphorus content in foods is crucial for dietary management:

1.  Naturally Occurring Phosphorus 

Approximately 40-60% of phosphorus from natural foods is absorbed. Individuals with hyperphosphatemia should control their intake of these foods:

• Dairy and Dairy Products: Milk, yogurt, ice cream, cheese, butter.
• Legumes, Seeds, Grains, and Grain Products: Brown rice, oats, whole wheat, sesame, tofu, soy milk, mung bean pudding, adlay, luk chup (Thai dessert), watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashews.
• Egg Yolks and Products Containing Them: Thai desserts like Thong Yip, Thong Yod, Foi Thong, Sangkhaya (custard), salad cream, mayonnaise, yellow noodles, fish roe.
• Animals Consumed Whole (with bones): Dried shrimp, small shrimp, small fish, fish fins, fried insects.
• Meats and Organ Meats.

2.  Synthetic Phosphorus 

Found extensively in food additives and preservatives, synthetic phosphorus is absorbed at a rate exceeding 90%. Therefore, individuals with high blood phosphorus should strictly avoid the following:

• Processed Meats and Processed Foods, Fast Food: Sausages, fish balls, Chinese sausage, nuggets, French fries, hamburgers, steamed dumplings.
• Ready-to-Eat Meals, Frozen Foods, Canned Foods.
• Foods Containing Baking Powder and Yeast: Steamed buns, mantou, Chinese doughnuts (patongko), bread, various baked goods.
• Canned or Bottled Beverages: Instant tea/coffee, soft drinks, beer, boxed fruit juices.

Principles of Health Management

• For Blood Phosphorus Levels Exceeding 5 mg/dL: Avoid high-phosphorus foods to maintain levels within the normal range (2.4-5.1 mg/dL).
• For Excessively Low Blood Phosphorus Levels: Increased intake of high-phosphorus foods may be appropriate, but only under the guidance of a physician and registered dietitian.

Permissible Foods

These foods are generally lower in phosphorus and can be consumed more freely:

• Egg Whites: Excellent low-phosphorus protein source.
• Fish Fillets: Avoid bony parts like fins and cheeks; avoid crispy fried fish (which often contains bones).
• Lean Meats: Beef, pork, chicken, duck, without fat or skin.
• Refined Grains/Starches: White rice, large rice noodles (sen yai), thin rice noodles (sen lek), vermicelli (sen mee), mung bean noodles (woon sen), Shanghai noodles.
• Thai Desserts Primarily Using Protein-Free Flour: Jellies (woon), salim,ลอดช่องสิงคโปร์ (lod chong Singapore), sago, khanom chan, khanom piak poon, khanom luem kluen. (Note: Diabetic individuals should consume these sparingly.)
• Black Coffee, Chinese/Western Tea (without milk): Still contains some phosphorus, so avoid excessive consumption.
• Herbal Drinks: Lemonade, pandan juice, butterfly pea flower juice, ginger juice.

Note: Individuals with high blood potassium should avoid certain herbal drinks.

The total amount of phosphorus consumed daily depends on the type and quantity of food ingested.