Some texts refer to phosphorus as the “Devil’s Element” because of its eerie glow, tendency to burst into flame, and because it was the 13th known element. Like other nonmetals, pure phosphorus assumes markedly different forms. There are at least five phosphorus allotropes.

1640s, “substance or organism that shines of itself,” from Latin phosphorus “light-bringing,” also “the morning star” (a sense attested in English from 1620), from Greek Phosphoros “morning star,” literally “torchbearer,” from phōs “light,” contraction of phaos “light, daylight” (related to phainein “to show, to bring …

White phosphorus emits a faint glow when exposed to oxygen – hence the name, taken from Greek mythology, Φωσφόρος meaning “light-bearer” (Latin Lucifer), referring to the “Morning Star”, the planet Venus….

Symptoms of too much phosphorus These symptoms include joint pain, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. People with high phosphorus levels can also experience itching and red eyes. Symptoms of more severe cases of high phosphorus may include severe constipation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include loss of appetite, anxiety, bone pain, fragile bones, stiff joints, fatigue, irregular breathing, irritability, numbness, weakness, and weight change.

High Phosphorus Foods to Avoid or Limit:

• Dairy foods.
• Beans.
• Lentils.
• Nuts.
• Bran cereals.
• Oatmeal.
• Colas and other drinks with phosphate additives.
• Some bottled ice tea.

Here are seven methods to help control high levels of phosphorus:

1. Reduce the amount of phosphorus you eat.
2. Take phosphorus binders.
3. Take vitamin D.
4. Take a calcimimetic medicine.
5. Stay on dialysis the entire time.
6. Start an exercise program approved by a doctor.
7. Get an operation to remove some of the parathyroid glands.

Eggs are a great protein source but also contain 95 mg phosphorus in a large egg. Remove the yolk and phosphorus is only 5 mg for each egg white. All cheese contains phosphorus with most having 120-250 mg per ounce; some contain more than 300 mg per ounce.

Too much phosphorus may calcify the kidneys. “As more phosphate goes through the kidney, it accelerates micro-calcification of the kidney’s tubules,” Block explains. That can depress kidney function and also increase the risk of fatal heart attacks.

High phosphorus levels can cause damage to your body. Extra phosphorus causes body changes that pull calcium out of your bones, making them weak. High phosphorus and calcium levels also lead to dangerous calcium deposits in blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and heart.

Nutritionists recommend that healthy adults with normal kidney function get between 700 mg and 1,200 mg of phosphorus each day. However, the average American diet contains much greater amounts of phosphorus, partially due to additives in processed foods.

Bananas are very high in potassium. One banana has 422mg of potassium. However, patients on peritoneal dialysis may be able to have higher amounts of potassium. These are not only high in phosphorus, but also are high in potassium.

A phosphorus deficiency can cause loss of appetite, anemia (low red blood cell counts), muscle weakness, coordination problems, bone pain, soft and deformed bones, a higher risk of infection, a feeling of burning or prickling in the skin, and confusion.

The following are a few foods and beverages that now contain hidden phosphorus:

• Flavored waters.
• Iced teas.
• Sodas and other bottled beverages.
• Enhanced meat and chicken products.
• Breakfast (cereal) bars.
• Nondairy creamers.
• Bottled coffee beverages.

With vitamin D deficiency, serum phosphorus values usually decrease because of the associated hyperparathyroidism, but hyperphosphatemia has been reported to occur when vitamin D deficiency is severe [1, 6].

A cup of cranberry juice cocktail contains only 30 mg potassium. A cup of fresh cranberries provides 84 mg potassium, 12 mg phosphorus, 0 mg sodium, 0 g protein 14 g carbohydrate and 60 calories.

What is added to coffee can often be more of a problem than the coffee itself. For example, an 8 oz. cup of cafe latte, made without flavored syrup, rolls in at 183 mg of phosphorus and a whopping 328 mg of potassium (4).

How is it treated?

1. reduce the amount of phosphate in your diet.
2. remove extra phosphate with dialysis.
3. lower the amount of phosphate your intestines absorb using medication.

Too much phosphate in the blood is known as hyperphosphatemia. The most common cause is kidney disease, but other conditions can lead to phosphate levels being out of balance. Phosphate is a chemical found in the body. It contains a mineral called phosphorus that occurs naturally in many foods.

Green tea extracts have been reported to cause liver and kidney problems in rare cases. Drinking green tea is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when consumed for a long time or in high doses (more than 8 cups per day). Drinking large amounts of green tea might cause side effects due to the caffeine content.

Herbs

• Dandelion tea.
• Marshmallow root.
• Juniper.
• Nettles.
• Parsley.
• Red clover.
• Ginger.
• Goldenrod.