Show What to Eat and Why C. C Houston Goudiss ou iss Des Describes ribes es the Role o of Phosphorus In n Nutrition Tells Where to Obtain am This is Mineral By C. C HOUSTON GOUDISS T HERE at least 11 different T THERE are mineral salts which are essential to the structure or functioning of the human body But of these only four four calcium calcium phosphorus iron and iodine require iodine require the careful consideration of the home- home maker That is because a diet which furnishes adequate amounts of these four will automatically provide the others But when the diet is deficient in any one one of these the thes e four min mn orals disastrous consequences may result It i is therefore of the utmost importance that every homemaker cr er should know something of their functions and what foods looch supply them In this article we toe shall deal specifically ph orus Versatile Phosphorus It has been said that if the biographies biographies biographies of the elements could be written that of phosphorus would q be the most interesting interesting inter inter- Y esting etting of all That is because there are 14 different ways i in n which compounds a of phosphorus may 4 function in the body In fact it is doubtful if any other other other oth oth- er inorganic element element element ele ele- ele- ele ment enters into such a diversity of compounds or plays an important part in so many functions This mineral is indispensable lorall for lor all the active tissues of the body and likewise helps in regulating the neutrality of the blood It is is' is found lound abundantly in nerve tissue Needed for Teeth and Bones Its most significant role however however however how how- ever is to team with calcium in I giving rigidity to the bones and teeth Approximately 90 per cent of the total phosphorus of the body and 99 per cent of the calcium calcium cal cal- are found in the bones and teeth Both these minerals are required in generous amounts but almost twice as much phosphorus as calcium calcium calcium cal cal- should be supplied every day Moreover children should have about one half times as much phosphorus as adults to meet the requirements for growth The muscles and soft tissues need phosphorus as well as the bones and in the dietary of the child they must share with the bones the phosphorus that is provided provided pro pro- provided vided by the food Hence the greater need for this mineral during during during dur dur- ing childhood Phosphorus and Rickets If a childs child's diet is deficient in phosphorus or calcium or if conditions conditions conditions con con- are not favorable for their proper absorption rickets will oc oc- oc cur This devastating nutritional disease may result in deformities of the chest and pelvic bones aswell aswell as aswell well as the more familiar bow bowlegs bowlegs legs and knock Investigators have spent many years in discovering how to prevent prevent prevent pre pre- vent and cure this disease which has made life miserable for so many children and which has far- far reaching effects that carry over into later life For example adults who have legs bow-legs or a pigeon breast as a result of childhood rickets are always s self-conscious self because of their defects And motherhood may be far more cult for young women whose pelvic pelvic pel pel- vic bones were deformed by rickets rickets rickets rick rick- ets in their early years A Phosphorus Low Diet I It was found that rickets may be associated with a w phosphor low us diet even when the calcium content is high And investigations also determined that there is a seasonal tide of blood phosphorus which corresponds to the amount of available sunlight This led lcd to the realization that sunlight sunlight- which we now know helps the body to mam manufacture vitamin D is D-is is closely related to the proper utilization utilization utilization uti uti- uti- uti of phosphorus And today it is well established that ri rickets can be prevented or cured by a diet containing liberal amounts of phosphorus calcium and vitamin D D. D Vitamin D can be obtained from direct sunshine but where I this is not available in adequate amounts liver cod-liver oil irradiated foods or those fortified with a vitamin D concentrate will supply this necessary substance Make l Use of Sunlight i I As we approach the season when the greatest amount of sunshine is available homemakers should see to it that not only the dren but every member of the family spend as much time as possible in the sunlight This will help to promote the proper utilization utilization tion of phosphorus and calcium And both teeth and bones will benefit as well as the general health Where to Find Phosphorus Every homemaker should acquaint acquaint acquaint ac ac- ac- ac quaint herself with the foods that supply phosphorus most abundantly abundant abundant- ly so that she will be prepared to include this mineral in the diet every eVery- day Egg yolk and dried beans are both valuable sources of phosphorus So arc are whole grain cereals and lean Jean meats In fact cereals and meats have bave this in common common both both are rich in phosphorus phosphorus phosphorus and deficient in calcium Whole grain breads arc are likewise important for their phosphorus content And on a percentage basis basis basis ba ba- ba- ba sis cheese ranks very high as a carrier of this mineral Cocoa also contains a large percentage percentage percentage per per- though it must be re remembered remembered remembered re- re that as a rule only small quantities of cocoa are consumed consumed con con- at one time Many nuts including almonds peanuts pecans pecans pecans pe pe- pe- pe cans and walnuts furnish significant significant significant cant amounts And this mineral is found in dried fruits such as raisins figs and prunes and in much smaller quantities in vegetables vegetables vegetables vege vege- tables such as spinach cauliflower er string beans carrots and brussels brussels brussels brus- brus sels sprouts Milk supplies phosphorus though not in such generous amounts as calcium However if you follow the rule of a quart of milk daily for every child and a pint for each adult you will contribute materially materially materially materi materi- ally to the phosphorus and calcium calcium calcium cal cal- content of the diet C C. C C. C Houston Goudiss M. 1930 1939 H. H |