1. If there are no symptoms, how will I know if I have abnormal phosphorus levels?
Abnormal phosphorus levels are usually detected because of the relationship with and effect on calcium. Calcium is routinely tested as part of the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel and Basic Metabolic Panel (CMP and BMP), tests that are frequently ordered. If you have abnormal calcium levels, your doctor usually will check your phosphorus level.
2. Can vegetarians meet their phosphorus needs without resorting to meat or dairy?
Yes, but only about 50% of the phosphorus in plant sources such as beans, lentils, grains, peanuts and almonds is available to the body because we lack the enzymes to process it. An exception to this is yeast breads because yeast provides the necessary enzyme.
