Like calcium and magnesium, phosphorus is one of the major minerals in the body. By itself it accounts for nearly 1/4th of the body’s mineral content. Most of the phosphorus in the body is found in the bones and teeth. However, it serves a crucial function in energy production for all cells, since high-energy bonds within cells are made from phosphorus. Phosphorus is the main component of the important energy compound of the body known as ATP, which is the most powerful type of storage energy in human cells. Symptoms of the deficiency are similar to those seen in calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.
