Phosphorus in today's nutrition

Consumption of the essential nutrient phosphorus exceeds the recommendation s, in Germany, the intake is more than 1 g phosphorus per day. A great vari ety of processed foods including carbonated beverages, meats, cheeses, dres sings and chilled bakery products are supplemented by phosphates. The use o f phosphates as food additives is often discussed with regard to their poss ible effect on bone metabolism and renal function. Numerous studies have sh own the influence of this nutrient on the metabolism of the parathyroid hor mone and calcium. In contrast to animal experiments, the kidney function of humans is not affected significantly. Urinary pyridinium crosslinks, pyrid inoline and deoxypyridinoline as specific markers of bone absorption, revea led no significant changes in case of supplementation of phosphorus. Howeve r, studies of high phosphorus intake over a long time have not been conduct ed.