Show what to eat and why C houston goudiss describes the role of phosphorus in nutrition tells where to obtain this mineral by C HOUSTON GOUDISS are at least 11 different mineral salts which are THERE 1 I essential to the structure or functioning of the human body but of these only four calcium phosphorus iron and iodine require the careful consideration of the homemaker 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 of these four mm min brals disastrous consequences may result it is therefore of the utmost importance that every homemaker should know something of their functions and what foods supply them in this article we ive shall deal specifically with phosphorus versatile phosphorus it has been said that if the biographies of the elements could be written that of phosphorus would be the most interesting of all that is because there are 14 different ways in which compounds of phosphorus may function in the body in fact it is doubtful if any other inorganic element enters into such a diversity of compounds or plays an important part in so many functions this mineral is indispensable for all the active tissues of the body and likewise helps in regulating 0 the neutrality of the blood it is found abundantly in nerve tissue needed for teeth and bones its most significant role however is to team with calcium in 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 are found in the bones and teeth both these minerals are required in generous amounts but almost twice as much phosphorus as calcium should be supplied every day moreover children should have about one and 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 by the food hence the greater need for this mineral during childhood phosphorus and rickets if a childs diet is deficient in phosphorus or calcium or if conditions are not favorable for their proper absorption rickets will occur this devastating nutritional disease may result in deformities of the chest and pelvic bones as well as the more familiar bow legs and knock knees investigators have spent many years in discovering how to prevent and cure this disease which has made life miserable for so many children and which has far reaching effects that carry over into later life for example adults who have bowlegs bow legs or a pigeon breast as a result of childhood rickets are always self conscious because of their defects and motherhood may be far more biffi cult for young women whose pelvic bones were deformed by rickets in their early years A low phosphorus diet it was found that rickets may be associated with a low phosphor us diet even when the calcium 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 to the realization that sunlight which we now know helps the body to manufacture vitamin D is closely related to the proper utilization libation liza liza tion of phosphorus and today it is well established that rickets can be prevented or cured by a diet containing liberal amounts of phosphorus calcium and vitamin D vitamin D can be obtained from direct sunshine but where this is not available in adequate amounts cod liver oil irradiated foods or those fortified with a vitamin D concentrate will supply this necessary substance make blake use of sunlight As we approach the season when the greatest amount of sunshine is available homemakers should see to it that not only the children but every member of the family spend as much time as possible in the sunlight this will help to promote the proper utilization 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 herself with the foods that supply phosphorus most abundantly so that she will be prepared to include this mineral in the diet every day egg yolk and dried beans bean are both valuable sources of phosphorus so are whole grain cereals and lean meats in fact cereals and meats have this in common both are rich in phosphorus and deficient in calci calcium whole grain breads are me likewise wl se important for their phosphorus or u s content and on a percentage tag e b basis a cheese ranks very high as a carrier of this mineral cocoa also contains a large percentage though it must be re that as a rule only small quantities of cocoa are consumed at one time many nuts including almonds peanuts pecans and walnuts furnish significant amounts and this mineral is found in dried fruits such as raisins figs and prunes and in much smaller quantities in vegetables such as spinach cauliflower string beans carrots and brussels 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 mater materially to the phosphorus and calcium content of the diet D C houston cordiss 1939 os 64 |