Nutritional Supplement

Phosphorus for Sports & Fitness

Phosphorus

Possible Deficiencies

Phosphorus deficiency is uncommon, because dietary intake is usually adequate.17 Chronic alcoholics may become deficient in phosphorus.18 and people taking large amounts of aluminum-containing antacids19

One study has shown that taking calcium can interfere with the absorption of phosphorus, which, like calcium, is important for bone health.20. Although most western diets contain ample or even excessive amounts of phosphorus, older people who supplement with large amounts of calcium may be at risk of developing phosphorus deficiency. For this reason, the authors of this study recommend that, for elderly people, at least some of the supplemental calcium be taken in the form of tricalcium phosphate or some other phosphorus-containing preparation.

Side Effects

People with severe kidney disease must avoid excessive phosphorus. Based primarily on animal studies, some authorities have suggested that excess intake of phosphate is hazardous to normal calcium and bone metabolism,21 but this idea has been challenged.22 Phosphoric acid–containing soft drinks have been implicated in elevated kidney stone risk,23,24 but not all studies have found this relationship.25

Ingestion of excessive amounts of aluminum-containing antacids (such as Di-Gel®, Riopan®, Maalox®, or Mylanta®) can cause phosphorus deficiency.

References

1. Horswill CA. Effects of bicarbonate, citrate, and phosphate loading on performance. Int J Sport Nutr 1995;5:S111-9 [review].

2. Linderman JK, Gosselink KL. The effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on exercise performance. Sports Med 1994;18:75-80 [review].

3. Stephens TJ, McKenna MJ, Canny BJ, et al. Effect of sodium bicarbonate on muscle metabolism during intense endurance cycling. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2002;34:614-21.

4. Shave R, Whyte G, Siemann A, Doggart L. The effects of sodium citrate ingestion on 3,000-meter time-trial performance. J Strength Cond Res 2001;15:230-4.

5. Schabort EJ, Wilson G, Noakes TD. Dose-related elevations in venous pH with citrate ingestion do not alter 40-km cycling time-trial performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 2000;83:320-7.

6. McNaughton L, Dalton B, Palmer G. Sodium bicarbonate can be used as an ergogenic aid in high-intensity, competitive cycle ergometry of 1 h duration. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1999;80:64-9.

7. Potteiger JA, Webster MJ, Nickel GL, et al. The effects of buffer ingestion on metabolic factors related to distance running performance. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1996;72:365-71.

8. Potteiger JA, Nickel GL, Webster MJ, et al. Sodium citrate ingestion enhances 30 km cycling performance. Int J Sports Med 1996;17:7-11.

9. Tiryaki GR, Atterbom HA. The effects of sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate on 600 m running time of trained females. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1995;35:194-8.

10. Van Someren K, Fulcher K, McCarthy J, et al. An investigation into the effects of sodium citrate ingestion on high-intensity exercise performance. Int J Sport Nutr 1998;8:356-63.

11. Cox G, Jenkins DG. The physiological and ventilatory responses to repeated 60 s sprints following sodium citrate ingestion. J Sports Sci 1994;12:469-75.

12. McNaughton L, Cedaro R. Sodium citrate ingestion and its effects on maximal anaerobic exercise of different durations. Eur J Appl Physiol 1992;64:36-41.

13. McNaughton LR. Sodium citrate and anaerobic performance: implications of dosage. Eur J Appl Physiol 1990;61:392-7.

14. Galloway SD, Tremblay MS, Sexsmith JR, et al. The effects of acute phosphate supplementation in subjects of different aerobic fitness levels. Eur J Appl Physiol 1996;72:224-30.

15. Williams MH. Ergogenic and ergolytic substances. Med Sci Sports Exer 1992;24:S344-8 [review].

16. Heaney RP, Nordin BEC. Calcium effects on phosphorus absorption: implications for the prevention and co-therapy of osteoporosis.J Am Coll Nutr 2002;21:239-44.

17. Pennington JA, Schoen SA. Total diet study: estimated dietary intakes of nutritional elements, 1982-1991. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1996;66:350-62.

18. Knochel JP, Agarwal R. Hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphatemia. In Brenner B, ed. The Kidney, 5th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1996, 1086-133 [review].

19. Lotz M, Zisman E, Bartter FC. Evidence for a phosphorus-depletion syndrome in man. N Engl J Med 1968;278:409-15.

20. Heaney RP, Nordin BEC. Calcium effects on phosphorus absorption: implications for the prevention and co-therapy of osteoporosis.J Am Coll Nutr 2002;21:239-44.

21. Calvo MS, Park YK. Changing phosphorus content of the U.S. diet: potential for adverse effects on bone. J Nutr 1996;126:1168S-80S [review].

22. Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1997, 181-6 [review].

23. Shuster J, Jenkins A, Logan C, et al. Soft drink consumption and urinary stone recurrence: a randomized prevention trial. J Clin Epidemiol 1992;45:911-6.

24. Rodgers A. Effect of cola consumption on urinary biochemical and physicochemical risk factors associated with calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Urol Res 1999;27:77-81.

25. Curhan GC, Willett WC, Rimm EB, et al. Prospective study of beverage use and the risk of kidney stones. Am J Epidemiol 1996;143:240-7.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.