Phosphate is a chemical substance that has a number of important roles for the body, one of which helps the production of energy and the formation of cell structure. The following will explain 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 the phosphate in the human body can be found in the bones. While the rest, scattered in the cells and tissues of the body.
The Important Role of Phosphate for the Body
Phosphate is a chemical substance that contains the mineral phosphorus. 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 a type of electrolyte, phosphate can carry an electric charge. This supports the function of phosphate which is related to nerve performance and muscle movement.
Inside the cell, phosphate works as a source of energy. Phosphate also acts as a building block for 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 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 raw material for a number of important structures in body cells.
In medicine, phosphate is also often combined with certain chemicals as drugs, vitamins, or supplements to treat 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 excreted by the kidneys through urine. If kidney function is impaired, then 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 Interrupted if Levels Are Not Balanced
Besides being influenced 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 provide optimal benefits to the body, phosphate needs to be in normal or balanced levels. When phosphate levels are too high or low, its function can be impaired.
There are several conditions that can occur if the levels of phosphate in the body are not balanced, namely:
- HypophosphatemiaThis condition occurs when the level of phosphate in the body is too low. This condition is fairly rare and is generally passed down in families, but rarely causes symptoms. Symptoms only appear when phosphate levels in the body are very low. Some of the symptoms that can be a sign of this condition are bone pain, loss of appetite, tingling, broken bones for no apparent reason, body feels tired and muscles feel weak.
- HyperphosphatemiaThis condition occurs when the level of phosphate 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 may appear 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 the 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 kidneys are damaged, improving diet or diet alone is not enough to return phosphate levels to normal. Dialysis is needed to assist the kidneys in carrying out their function of filtering substances in the body, including phosphate.
The first step to overcome a deficiency or excess of phosphate in the body is to adjust the diet, namely by adding or reducing several types of foods high in phosphate, such as red meat, milk, fish, egg yolks, chicken, and nuts and seeds (one of which is corn). .
In order for phosphate levels in the body to remain normal, you are also recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle. If you feel the symptoms associated with the above phosphate disorders, you should immediately consult a doctor before the disturbances that occur get worse.