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 produce energy and the formation of cell structures. The following will be explained further 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 bone. While the rest, spread in cells and body tissues.

Important Role of Phosphate for the Body

Phosphate is a chemical that contains phosphorus minerals. When entering the intestine through food, phosphorus will be 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 functions related to nerve performance and muscle movement.

In cells, phosphate works as an energy source. Phosphate also acts as a constituent of several important structures, such as cell membranes and DNA. This makes phosphate indirectly play a role in storing genetic information in DNA.

Based on various roles of phosphate, it can be concluded that the benefits of phosphate for the body are:

• Supporting the formation and strengthen bones and teeth.
• Helps carry out nerve function and muscle contraction.
• As a raw material for a number of important structures in body 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 defecation becomes smoother.

Although absorbed in the intestine, most of the phosphate will be filtered and discharged by the kidneys through urine. If kidney function is disrupted, the body will not be able to filter 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 Level is Unbalanced

Besides being affected by kidney function, Phosphate levels are also closely related to the levels of other substances that work with phosphate, for example calcium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D.

In order to benefit the body optimally, phosphate needs to be in a normal level or balanced. When phosphate levels are excessive or lacking, their function can be disrupted.

There are several conditions that can occur if the phosphate levels in the body are not balanced, namely:

• Hypophosphatemia
  This condition occurs when phosphate levels in the body are too low. This condition is fairly rare and generally inherited in the family, but rarely causes symptoms. New symptoms emerge if the 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 tired and the muscles feel weak.
• Hyperphosphatemia
  This condition occurs when the phosphate level in the body is 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 rash on the skin, weakening of bones , and muscle cramps or 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 kidney is damaged, dietary improvements or diet alone is not enough to restore phosphate levels to the normal position. Dialysis is needed to help the kidneys carry out their functions in filtering substances in the body, including phosphate.

The first step to overcome the deficiency or excess phosphate in the body is to regulate eating patterns, namely by adding or reducing some types of food high phosphate, such as red meat, milk, fish, egg yolks, chicken, and nuts and seeds.

For phosphate levels in the body to remain normal, you are also encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. If you feel the symptoms associated with phosphate disorders above, you should immediately see a doctor before the disorder becomes more severe.

Label : Health cat_Health