Phosphorus
Phosphorus is an essential mineral, stored mostly as phosphate in bones and teeth. It occurs in dairy, meat, fish and grains.
What it is studied for
The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.
Is phosphorus an energy supplement?
Phosphorus is part of bones, teeth and ATP, the molecule cells use to transfer energy. Having that role does not mean extra phosphorus treats an afternoon slump. Deficiency is uncommon and usually linked to medical conditions rather than a low dietary intake. 1
Why people take it
SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.
Questions people ask
Is a phosphorus supplement needed for stronger bones?
Its normal role in bone does not establish a need for extra supplementation. DGE reports BfR’s recommendation against adding it to supplements. 1 2
Does Germany still use 700 mg for adults?
The current DGE estimate is 550 mg daily; the reference was revised from the former 700 mg recommendation. 2 3
Does the EFSA safety value apply with kidney disease?
It does not apply to people with moderate to severe reduction in kidney function. 4
Sources
- FAQ Phosphor DGE
- EFSA issues new advice on phosphates EFSA, 2019