Phosphorus

What is Phosphorus?

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What Phosphorus Does for You:

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What Happens When there is a Phosphorus Deficiency:

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What Happens When Too Much Phosphorus is Consumed:

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How Much Phosphorus do You Need?

This table presents Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Adequate Intakes (AIs) recommended by the USDA to maintain a healthy diet.

	Phosphorus (mg/day)
Infants
0-6 mos	100*
7-12 mos	275*
Children
1-3 yrs	460
4-8 yrs	500
Males
9-13 yrs	1,250
14-18 yrs	1,250
19-30 yrs	700
31-50 yrs	700
51-70 yrs	700
> 70 yrs	700
Females
9-13 yrs	1,250
14-18 yrs	1,250
19-30 yrs	700
31-50 yrs	700
51-70 yrs	700
> 70 yrs	700
Pregnancy
14-18 yrs	1,250
19-30 yrs	700
31-50 yrs	700
Lactation
14-18 yrs	1,250
19-30 yrs	700
31-50 yrs	700

NOTES:

• * Adequate Intakes
• mg = milligrams

Best Plant Sources of Phosphorus:

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SOURCES:

• The National Academy Press: www.nap.edu
• Institute of Medicine: www.iom.edu