Phosphorus & Sodium
The information presented is based on Cellular trace mineral analysis - not Serum / Blood measurements.
RDA/DRI, synergists, antagonists, deficiency/overdose/toxicity symptoms are listed at the bottom of the page.
When using intracellular measurements, Phosphorus (P) and Sodium (Na) allow for unique diagnostic
and therapeutic properties in regard to renal functions, where in contrast to their serum status, cellular levels
extend from a low degenerative, to a high inflammatory range. Both kidneys are capable of handling the
entire range of renal functions, but the right kidney generally controls sodium-related aspects, and the left
kidney protein / phosphorus-related aspects, provided both kidneys are present, and in reasonable health.
While this may initially sound strange to some uninformed practitioners, it makes a lot of sense once the rea-
ons are analyzed why in the great majority of cases, patients end up with only one-sided kidney disturbances,
whether they be kidney stones, infections, or other problems. It is not unusual to hear of patients who pro-
duce hundreds, or even thousands of kidney stones in one kidney only, but never the other, unless the first
involved kidney is removed.
When comparing the chemical profiles of a kidney donor and the kidney recipient before and after surgery,
one gains a wealth of information on individual kidney functions and how to assist in their efficiency without
drugs, and how they are not equal in maintaining pH balance, which can be very easily measured in both, the
donor and recipient, after either the left or right kidney is donated.
For instance, when a patient presents with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), a cellular analysis will reveal the
involvement and extent of the condition:
If the bladder is affected, there is a significant rise in potassium.
If the right kidney is affected, there is a significant rise in sodium.
If the left kidney is affected, there is a significant rise in phosphorus.
Treatments can be formulated accordingly - either by prescribing conventional medications (if not familiar with
nutritional concepts), or by simply lowering elevated levels pertaining to the above indicators, using common
nutritional or biochemical principles:
Sodium: 'Vitamin B2, chromium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, folate
Phosphorus: Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), calcium, zinc
Potassium: Vitamin B3/4, chromium, magnesium, manganese, sulfur
Intracellular tests will identify the appropriate minerals / nutrients which will be low in ratio to the one(s)
corresponding to the infection, and will thus help identify a (contributing) cause, provide a treatment, and
establish a basis for future prevention. While potassium supplementation could be theoretically considered
with right-sided kidney infections, it has to be used with caution because of its pro-inflammatory effect on
the bladder when high, and in the event of a kidney and bladder infection, potassium would have to be
lowered along with sodium.
Foot odor is almost entirely related to kidney functions, and only to a lesser degree to tight, enclosed shoes.
Similarly, Fungal Infections such as Athlete's Foot (tinea pedis), can only take place when the "terrain"
allows the spread of a fungus - with the terrain being determined by the chemical make-up of the foot sweat
of those people with reduced kidney functions. Anyone with healthy kidneys can walk across a wet gym floor
and will not end up with athlete's foot.
Normalizing renal chemistry (i.e. sodium, protein / phosphates) will normalize the chemical composition of
someone's foot sweat, followed by the disappearance of any fungal infections, as well as foot odor.
Phosphorus, when high in ratio to calcium, is well established as being a contributing factor with bone loss /
osteoporosis, and many articles have been published on the dangers of consuming too many soft drinks due
to their high phosphorus content. A similar message is being preached regarding protein, supposedly having
the same effect on calcium loss.
Forgetting about the hype or agenda for a moment, any viewpoint can be correct for specific individuals, but it
cannot be applied for everyone, as there are as many people who exhibit below-normal protein / phosphates,
as are those who are above-normal, so only individual assessments are valid. Osteoporosis and arthritic
complaints can develop with high and low protein / phosphate levels, which subsequently rules out any
"one-size-fits-all"- types of recommendations.
Long-term monitoring of patients shows high / low sodium-related cases being more right-sided in regard to
joint damage, while high / low protein + phosphate-related cases are generally more left-sided in regard to
joint damage, so striking a happy medium goes a long way in the prevention of many of these problems.
Phosphorus and calcium metabolism is linked, and requires Vitamin D for uptake.
Blood levels of phosphorus are increased by parathyroid hormone, and decreased by the thyroid hormone
calcitonin. The kidneys excrete phosphates if blood levels rise, and they excrete less when dietary
phosphate intake is low.
Phosphorus is present as Phytates in grains and cereals, so if bread is made from unleavened flour, the
phytic acid will bind to iron, calcium, zinc and other minerals and reduce their rate of absorption. Phosphorus
aids muscle contraction, acts as a buffer for acid-base balance in the body, helps regulate the heartbeat, and
supports proper nerve conduction. It is also necessary for the conversion of niacin and riboflavin to their
active coenzyme forms.
Cancer cells tend to lose phosphorus more readily than normal cells, so phosphorus, usually consumed in the
form of high-quality protein, may be useful in the nutritional support of cancer patients. A majority of cancers
present with a cellular phosphorus / sodium ratio that is too low (having a high pH, or being too alkaline).
In contrast, the general consensus for Blood pH is that it should be fractionally higher (or more alkaline) for
Hormonal control of sodium (as well as chloride and potassium) balance is regulated by the adrenal cortex
hormones as well as by the anterior pituitary gland. Addison's Disease is a life-threatening disease22 caused
by partial or complete failure of the adrenal cortex and involves the loss of sodium and potassium. Symptoms
include weakness, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, weight loss, cold sensitivity, and a craving for salt.
Other sodium deficiencies can result from heavy sweating, or with severe dietary restriction, i.e. low sodium
formulas fed to infants caused their brains to swell, causing death. Sodium plays a vital role in controlling
osmotic pressure, which develops between the blood and cells due to ionic concentration differences, and it
assists in maintaining the proper acid-base balance by balancing charges of negatively charged ions such as
chloride, phosphate and bicarbonate.
The total volume of extracellular fluid is determined by sodium levels, while sodium concentration and water
balance are controlled by the interplay of the kidneys and a number of hormones. When the level of sodium
drops, the kidney releases the enzyme renin.
Renin catalyzes the conversion of a blood protein to angiotensin, which in turn stimulates the adrenal gland to
release aldosterone, a hormone that causes the kidney to increase the rate of sodium reabsorption to correct
the original sodium depletion. When dietary sodium intake is high, the kidneys rapidly excretes sodium, but
its retention can lead to edema / water retention. ¤
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Cellular / Intracellular Attributes and Interactions:
Phosphorus Synergists:
Germanium, manganese, nickel, Vitamin C,
niacin, niacinamide,Vitamin D, lecithin, protein.
Phosphorus Antagonists / Inhibitors:
Calcium, zinc, potassium, boron, bismuth, Vitamin B5,
caffeine, aluminum.
Note: Extended-release niacin + laropiprant
(to reduce LDL cholesterol) lowers serum phosphorus.
Sodium Synergists:
Silicon / silica, iron, cobalt, choline, Vitamin E,
Vitamin B1, Vit B12, [Vitamin B6 short-term].
Sodium Antagonists / Inhibitors:
Magnesium, potassium, zinc, lithium, Vitamin B2,
folate, [Vitamin B6 long-term].
Low Levels / Deficiency - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
Phosphorus:
Osteoporosis, joint / bone pain, arthritis, weakness,
weight loss, higher WBC, higher risk for several
cancers, dehydration, kidney stones.
Sodium:
Fatigue, depression, mental apathy, low blood
pressure, headaches, dehydration, confusion,
dizziness, arthritis, kidney stones, seizures,
In some cases: greater risk for LDL-related heart
disease, high blood pressure, or edema.
Phosphorus:
Osteoporosis, arthritis, gout, dental problems
(loose teeth, cavities), skin eruptions, lowered WBC,
higher risk for several cancers, kidney stones.
High levels / Overdose / Toxicity / Negative Side Effects - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
Sodium:
Edema, hypertension, stroke, dizziness, gout,
headaches, kidney damage, kidney stones,
stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, coma.
Phosphorus Sources:
Meat, fish, grains, dairy products, seeds, nuts,
eggs, most fruits and vegetables, soft drinks.
Sodium Sources:
Meat, fish, dairy products, celery, table salt,
canned foods and soups, baking soda, MSG. ¤
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General recommendations for nutritional supplementation: To avoid stomach problems and improve tolerance,
supplements should be taken earlier, or in the middle of a larger meal. When taken on an empty stomach or
after a meal, there is a greater risk of some tablets causing irritation, or eventually erosion of the esophageal
sphincter, resulting in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is also advisable not to lie down right after
taking pills. When taking a large daily amount of a single nutrient, it is better to split it up into smaller doses
to not interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in food, or nutrients supplemented at lower amounts.
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Copyright © 2000-2012 Acu-Cell Nutrition - Sodium & Phosphorus
When selectively overdosing on phosphorus / protein or sodium beyond an individual's renal capacity, and
provided both kidneys are equally healthy at the start, the right kidney will become diseased first with sodium,
and the left one first with phosphorus (or protein). Very one-sided diets, or long-term use of specific drugs
can affect both kidneys differently as well.
Despite its essential requirement, sodium (salt) tends to suffer a bad reputation as a result of being linked to
cardiovascular disease and stroke. While one cannot dispute its involvement, sodium only affects about one
third of the population in that regard. The rest can be divided among those where:
• someone's health is largely unaffected by the amount of salt (sodium chloride) consumed,
• adequate sodium / salt intake is necessary to help counteract a tendency for low blood pressure and
low sodium-related symptoms, such as dehydration, spinal / joint degeneration, depression, fatigue...,
as well as help reverse higher LDL / HDL cholesterol ratios.
While the liver largely controls total cholesterol, kidney chemistry has a primary effect on LDL / HDL
ratios, whereby low sodium, and low phosphorus and/or protein encourage higher production of LDL
cholesterol and VLDL triglycerides. As a result, low cellular sodium actually increases the risk for
heart disease, but reduces the risk for stroke, while high sodium, by reducing atherogenic activity
(arterial clogging), decreases the risk for some types of heart disease, however it dramatically raises
the risk for stroke when potassium levels fall below those of sodium.
On the other hand, a high sodium / magnesium ratio, and/or a high phosphorus / calcium ratio are
implicated with some forms of gout. Depending how efficient the body is in recycling chloride, low salt
intake can also be a reason for reduced stomach acid levels.
• salt should be used sparingly due to very low Aldosterone Levels, which are inhibited even more
by higher salt intake. People who are sodium-sensitive generally are well aware of their problem, as
they quickly retain extra water when ingesting larger amounts of salt, or their blood pressure goes up,
however there are those who respond the opposite, where for instance drinking a medium-sized glass
of water saturated with common table salt will have them keep running to the bathroom some time
later, with some individuals losing perhaps as much as 10-15 lb of water weight. This is similar to the
opposing effect of simple sugar consumption on hypoglycemia versus hyperglycemia.
In such a case, the strategy is not to increase someone's salt intake (which would otherwise cause
more dehydration), but to boost aldosterone levels, which will subsequently increase sodium retention.
Nutritional factors such as choline, licorice, iron, Vitamin B1, and - to a small extent - Vitamin E can be
used for that purpose, which should be matched to individual requirements.
Occasionally I see patients exhibiting very low sodium, and medication-resistant high blood pressure, in
which case sodium-raising supplements - by normalizing blood viscosity - resolve their hypertension.
Since an individual's Renal Capacity declines over a lifetime, it may be prudent for anyone - especially those
with a family history of kidney problems - to avoid drugs, medications, or foods and nutritional supplements
that have a tendency to compromise kidney functions and accelerate that process. Most prescription drugs,
particularly blood thinners and NSAIDs, and many OTC drugs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen...) have a detrimental effect
on renal functions, so patients and their practitioners have to carefully weigh a drug's benefits against those
negative aspects.
Dietary factors that - in excess - have an unfavorable impact on kidney functions21 include foods with a
high Oxalic Acid content such as found in rhubarb, Swiss chard, spinach, parsley, cocoa products, and beets
(especially beet greens), very high protein diets that are followed for longer periods of time, high phosphorus-
containing foods or beverages (meats, seafood, eggs, grains, dairy, nuts, soft drinks), excessive amounts of
alcohol, creatine supplements, as well as real (glycyrrhizin-containing) licorice.
The same applies to insufficient intake of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, Vitamin K, Vitamin C with
bioflavonoids, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and other essential nutrients. Of course
a single, major kidney infection (e.g. from E. Coli) may cause enough kidney damage to result in early hyper-
tension, or even require dialysis.
Acu-Cell Nutrition
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2012 Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) - Adequate Intake (AI) - Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) - Recommended Dietary Allowance / Intake (RDA / RDI)
Phosphorus / Phosphate:
DRI (RDA):
0-6 months
6-12 months
1-3 years
3-8 years
9-13 years males
14-18 years males
19 + years males
9 -13 years females
14-18 years females
19 + years females
pregnant
lactating
100mg AI
275mg AI
460mg
500mg
1,250mg
1,250mg
700mg
1,250mg
1,250mg
700mg
700mg - 1,250mg
700mg - 1,250mg
Sodium: 1,000mg = 1g
DRI (RDA):
0-6 months
6-12 months
1-3 years
3-8 years
9-13 years males
14-50 years males
51 + years males
9 -13 years females
14-50 years females
51 + years females
pregnant
lactating
120mg AI
370mg AI
1,000mg AI
1,200mg AI
1,500mg AI
1,500mg AI
1,200mg - 1,300mg AI
1,500mg AI
1,500mg AI
1,200mg - 1,300mg AI
1,500mg AI
1,500mg AI
UL: 3,000mg - 4,000mg
Therapeutic Range: 700mg - 3,200mg +
Best time to take Phosphorus: Anytime during the
day, with food, preferably with no other supplements
taken within a 2-hour period.
UL: 1,500mg - 2,300mg
Therapeutic Range: 2,0000 mg - 12,000 mg +
Best time to take Sodium: Morning and evening,
10 - 12 hours apart, if taken as sodium chloride (i.e.
for infants / children).
Phosphorus
Sodium
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Updated: 15. Jan. 2012