Bone and teeth, ATP energy, DNA/RNA, cell membranes and acid-base buffering.
Switzerland age 18–65: 550 mg/day.
Dairy, meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts and whole grains; phosphate additives in processed foods.
Rare; severe hypophosphataemia can cause weakness, bone pain, confusion, respiratory and cardiac problems.
Refeeding after severe malnutrition can dangerously lower phosphate. In kidney disease, excess is more often the problem.
No specific hair or nail signs.
Refeeding, alcohol dependence, severe malnutrition, some antacids and hormonal disorders.
Assess serum phosphate and cause clinically; monitor actively during refeeding.
Not needed with a normal diet; medically treat confirmed hypophosphataemia.
High phosphate load is especially relevant in kidney failure; additive phosphates are well absorbed.