Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for phosphorus

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies derived Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for phosphorus. The Panel considered data from balance studies, losses of phosphorus from the body and intestinal absorption for possible use in a factorial approach, and studies on phosphorus intake and long-term health outcomes. The Panel concluded that these data were insufficient for setting DRVs for phosphorus. Data on the calcium to phosphorus ratio in bones of healthy adults, adjusted for the proportion of phosphorus found outside bone, and data on whole-body calcium and phosphorus contents in Caucasian adults indicate that the calcium to phosphorus molar ratio in the body ranges from 1.4:1 to 1.9:1. Although the fractional absorption of phosphorus is higher than that of calcium, the Panel considered that the actual amounts of calcium and phosphorus that are available for absorption from the diet cannot be determined; therefore, the whole-body calcium to phosphorus ratio was used to set DRVs. The data were considered insufficient to derive Average Requirements and Population Reference Intakes. Based on the DRVs for calcium and considering a molar calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1.4:1 to 1.9:1, amounts of phosphorus were calculated. The Panel chose the lower bound of this range (a ratio of 1.4:1, which results in a higher phosphorus intake value) for setting an Adequate Intake (AI), taking into account estimated phosphorus intakes in Western countries, which are considerably higher than the values calculated. The AI is 160 mg/day for infants (7-11 months) and between 250 and 640 mg/day for children. For adults, the AI is 550 mg/day. Taking into consideration adaptive changes in phosphorus metabolism that occur during pregnancy and lactation, it was considered that the AI for adults also applies to pregnant and lactating women. Phosphorus is involved in many physiological processes, such as in the cell's energy cycle, in regulation of the body's acid-base balance, as a component of the cell structure, in cell regulation and signalling, and in the mineralisation of bones and teeth. About 85 % of the body's phosphorus is in bones and teeth, 14 % is in soft tissues, including muscle, liver, heart and kidney, and only 1 % is present in extracellular fluids. Phosphorus homeostasis is intricately linked to that of calcium because of the actions of calcium-regulating hormones, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (1,25(OH) 2 D), at the level of the bone, the gut and the kidneys. © EuropeanPhosphorus absorption occurs through passive diffusion and sodium-dependent active transport and via paracellular and cellular pathways. In adults, limited data suggest that net phosphorus absorption ranges from 55 to 80 % of intake. Phosphorus absorption is affected by the total amount of phosphorus in the diet and also by the type of phosphorus (organic versus inorganic), the food origin (animalversus plant-derived) and the ratio of phosphorus to oth...

The Role of Young Child Formula in Ensuring a Balanced Diet in Young Children (1–3 Years Old)

“…The nutrient intakes were calculated as previously described [3,4], depending on the formula or milk consumed and compared to the DRVs set by the EFSA either as Average Requirement (AR) or as Adequate Intake (AI) [5,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21]. The contribution of YCF to the nutrient intakes was calculated for each one by reporting the mean intake of this nutrient provided by the YCF relative to the mean total intake of that nutrient.…”

“…Sugars: monosaccharides and disaccharides; ALA: α-Linolenic Acid; ARA: Arachidonic Acid; DHA: Docosahexaenoic Acid; EPA: Eicosapentaenoic Acid; LA: Linoleic Acid; TEI: Total Energy Intake; DRVs: a AR [5]; b AI [5]; c AR [17]; d AR [18]; e AR [19]; f AR [20]; g AI [21]; h AR [15]; i AI [16]; j AR [10]; k AI [11]; l AI [12]; m AR [13]; n AR [14]. The significant p values are in bold.…”

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“…The NC of boiled common octopus was calculated based on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), macro and micro elements, considering a portion of 0.150 kg and the dietary reference values (DRVs) recommended by the European Food Safety Authority [36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44], according to the following formula: NC (%) = 100 × (C × M)/AI*, where C = mean concentration of the nutrient (EPA+DHA or mineral) in mg/kg; M = typical meal portion (0.150 kg); AI = adequate intake (mg/day); and *PRI (Population Reference Intake (mg/day)) used in the case of zinc.…”

“…Values are means ± standard deviation ( n = 3). 1 The Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) are presented for adults; 2 Adequate Intakes (AIs) are presented in ordinary type and Population Reference Intakes (PRIs) in bold type; 3 EFSA [40]; 4 EFSA [41]; 5 EFSA [43]; 6 EFSA [44]; 7 EFSA [39]; 8 considering a phytate intake level of 300 mg/day [38]; 9 EFSA [37]; 10 EFSA [36]; 11 AI based on considerations of cardiovascular health [42]. …”

Dietary Reference Values for nutrients Summary report

“…Phosphorus is involved in many physiological processes, such as in the cell's energy cycle, in regulation of the body's acid-base balance, as a component of the cell structure, in cell regulation and signalling, and in the mineralisation of bones and teeth (EFSA NDA Panel, 2015g). About 85% of the body's phosphorus is in bones and teeth, 14% is in soft tissues, including muscle, liver, heart and kidney, and only 1% is present in extracellular fluids.…”