Know the Benefits of Phosphate for the Human Body

Phosphate is a chemical that has a number of important roles for the body, one of which helps energy production and cell structure formation. The following will explain more about the various benefits of phosphate for the body. Phosphate is absorbed by the body through various types of food consumed. About 85% of phosphate in the human body can be found in bones. While the rest, spread in cells and body tissues.

The Important Role of Phosphate for the Body

Phosphate is a chemical that contains phosphorus minerals. When it enters the intestine through food, phosphorus is absorbed and mixed with oxygen to form phosphate. Together with calcium, phosphate will work to build and repair bones and teeth. As one type of electrolyte, phosphate can carry an electric charge. This supports phosphate function which is related to nerve performance and muscle movement. In cells, phosphate works as an energy source. Phosphate also acts as a material making up several important structures, such as cell membranes and DNA. This makes phosphate indirectly play a role in the storage of genetic information in DNA. Based on the various roles of the phosphate, it can be concluded that the benefits of phosphate for the body are:

• Supports the formation and strengthening of bones and teeth.
• Helps carry out nerve function and muscle contraction.
• As a raw material a number of important structures in the body's cells.

In the world of medicine, phosphate is also often combined with certain chemicals as drugs, vitamins, or supplements to overcome a number of health problems. One of them is as a laxative to stimulate the digestive system so that bowel movements become smoother. Although absorbed in the intestine, most of the phosphate will be filtered and removed by the kidneys through urine. If kidney function is disrupted, the body will not be able to filter out phosphate, so the amount will accumulate. Therefore, phosphate levels in the body can be a marker of kidney function.

Benefits of Phosphate Can Be Disturbed if the Levels Are Not Balanced

In addition to being affected by kidney function, phosphate levels are also closely related to levels of other substances that work with phosphate, such as calcium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D. In order to be able to benefit the body optimally, phosphate needs to be at a normal or balanced level. When phosphate levels are excessive or lacking, their function can be disrupted. There are several conditions that can occur if phosphate levels in the body are out of balance, namely:

• Hypophosphatemia

This condition occurs when phosphate levels in the body are too low. This condition is fairly rare and is generally inherited in the family, but rarely causes symptoms. New symptoms appear when phosphate levels in the body are very low. Some symptoms that can be a sign of this condition are bone pain, loss of appetite, tingling, broken bones for no apparent reason, the body feels fatigue and muscles feel weak.

• Hyperphosphatemia

This condition occurs when phosphate levels in the body are too high. Hyperphosphatemia can cause calcium levels in the blood to decrease. When calcium levels in the blood are very low, symptoms can occur in the form of pain in the joints and bones, tingling in the area around the mouth, itching and rashes on the skin, weakening of bones, and cramps or muscle spasms.

High phosphate levels also often appear as a symptom of kidney damage, especially if the damage to the kidneys is very severe. When the kidneys are damaged, improving diet or diet alone is not enough to restore phosphate levels to their normal position. Dialysis is needed to assist the kidneys in carrying out their functions filtering substances in the body, including phosphate. The initial step to overcome deficiency or excess phosphate in the body is to regulate diet, by increasing or reducing certain types of foods high in phosphate, such as red meat, milk, fish, egg yolks, chicken, and nuts and seeds (one of them is corn) . So that phosphate levels in the body remain normal, you are also encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. If you feel the symptoms related to phosphate disorders above, you should immediately consult a doctor before the disorder becomes more severe.