How to Remove Phosphorus from Body Naturally?

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

Chronic kidney disease is the most common cause of high phosphorus levels in the body, which can cause significant health problems. Fortunately, it is possible to help manage and remove phosphorus from the body naturally by making strategic changes to your diet and lifestyle. This approach focuses on reducing intake and boosting natural excretion pathways.

Quick Summary

Managing high phosphorus levels involves focusing on dietary adjustments, such as reducing processed foods with phosphate additives and moderating natural high-phosphorus foods. Key strategies include choosing fresh ingredients, optimizing cooking methods, and adopting a more plant-based diet to manage mineral balance effectively.

Key Points

Avoid Phosphate Additives: Prioritize fresh foods over processed items, as the body absorbs nearly 100% of phosphorus from food additives.
Read Food Labels: Become a "supermarket sleuth" and check ingredient lists for terms containing "phos," like phosphoric acid or sodium phosphate, which indicate added phosphorus.
Modify Cooking Methods: Boil vegetables and meats in ample water to reduce their phosphorus content; remember to discard the cooking liquid afterward.
Choose Plant-Based Proteins: Incorporate more lentils, chickpeas, and tofu into your diet, as the phosphorus in these plant-based sources is less bioavailable than in animal proteins.
Control High-Phosphorus Foods: While dairy and meat are high in natural phosphorus, manage portion sizes and balance them with lower-phosphorus alternatives like rice and certain fruits.
Boost Fiber Intake: Ensure regular bowel movements by eating a high-fiber diet, which helps excrete excess phosphorus from the body.
Stay Hydrated: Regular water intake is important for overall kidney function and helps flush out wastes.

Understanding Phosphorus and Hyperphosphatemia

Phosphorus is a vital mineral that plays a crucial role in building strong bones and teeth and keeping other body parts healthy. However, when kidney function declines, the body's ability to excrete excess phosphorus is impaired, leading to a condition called hyperphosphatemia, or high blood phosphorus. This can cause a range of serious health issues, including heart problems and weakened bones, because excess phosphorus pulls calcium from the bones. While medications like phosphate binders are often necessary for serious cases, natural strategies can help support overall management and kidney health.

The Crucial Role of Diet in Managing Phosphorus

For most people with healthy kidneys, the dietary intake of phosphorus is balanced by kidney excretion. For those with compromised kidney function, dietary management becomes the cornerstone of natural phosphorus control. The goal is not to eliminate phosphorus entirely, as it's an essential nutrient, but to control the type and amount consumed.

Limiting Processed Foods with Phosphate Additives

One of the most effective strategies is to drastically reduce or eliminate processed foods that contain phosphate additives. Unlike naturally occurring phosphorus, which is only partially absorbed, phosphorus from additives is almost completely absorbed by the body. Always read food labels and avoid ingredients containing "phos" or related terms. Examples include:

Processed meats: Ham, bacon, hot dogs, and some frozen poultry.
Packaged cheeses: Spreads, slices, and blocks.
Dark-colored colas and bottled iced teas: Often contain phosphoric acid.
Fast food and takeaway meals: These items frequently contain hidden phosphate additives for preservation or flavor.
Instant mixes and ready-to-eat meals: Pancake mix, instant puddings, and many pre-made pasta sauces.

Moderating Foods Naturally High in Phosphorus

While processed foods are the main culprit, many healthy foods are also naturally rich in phosphorus. The key is to manage portion sizes and balance these foods with lower-phosphorus alternatives. A dietitian can provide personalized guidance, but general tips include:

Dairy products: Limit daily servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Meats and poultry: While necessary for protein, portion control is key. Choose fresh, unprocessed cuts.
Nuts, seeds, and legumes: These plant-based foods contain phosphorus, but it is less easily absorbed by the body than animal-based sources. They can be good protein alternatives but still require moderation.
Whole grains: Items like bran cereals and whole wheat bread are higher in phosphorus than refined options like white rice and white bread.

Comparison of Phosphorus Sources

To highlight the difference between natural and additive-based phosphorus, consider the following comparison. The bioavailability of phosphorus from plant sources is lower due to compounds like phytates.


Feature	Processed Foods with Additives	Fresh, Unprocessed Foods
Absorption Rate	Absorbed almost 100% by the body.	Only 40-60% absorbed by the body, with bioavailability varying by source.
Example Foods	Processed cheese, dark colas, frozen meals, deli meats.	Fresh fruits and vegetables, unprocessed meats, rice.
Effect on Health	Contributes directly to high blood phosphate levels, potentially leading to organ damage.	Provides essential nutrients while allowing for controlled mineral intake.
Control Method	Read ingredient labels for "phos" and limit intake.	Control portion sizes and balance with lower-phosphorus foods.

Optimizing Your Cooking and Food Preparation

How you prepare your food can also significantly impact its phosphorus content. These techniques can help reduce mineral load without sacrificing nutrition.

Boiling Foods

Boiling vegetables and meats in a large amount of water can help draw out some of the phosphorus. For example, studies have shown that boiling can reduce phosphorus content in vegetables by up to 51% and meat by up to 38%. Remember to discard the cooking water, which will contain the leached phosphorus. This method is particularly useful for root vegetables like potatoes, which are naturally higher in minerals.

Boosting Bowel Regularity

Maintaining regular bowel movements is crucial for phosphorus control, particularly for those with chronic kidney disease. A higher fiber diet can help with this, as it promotes bowel regularity, which in turn helps excrete phosphorus that is bound by binders or that is not absorbed. Foods high in fiber include most fruits and vegetables.

Focus on Plant-Based Proteins

Consider incorporating more plant-based protein sources into your diet. While foods like beans and lentils contain phosphorus, it's less bioavailable than the phosphorus found in animal proteins. A registered dietitian can help you structure a balanced diet that meets your protein needs while keeping phosphorus in check.

Lentils and chickpeas: Excellent sources of protein and fiber that are naturally lower in bioavailable phosphate than many meats.
Tofu and other soy products: Good alternatives to meat, but always check labels for additives if purchasing processed varieties.
Egg whites: A fantastic protein source with very little phosphorus, as most of the mineral is concentrated in the yolk.

Conclusion

Naturally managing and removing phosphorus from the body is a multi-faceted process that relies primarily on careful dietary management. By becoming a savvy label reader, prioritizing fresh foods over processed ones, and using specific cooking techniques like boiling, you can significantly influence your phosphorus levels. For individuals with existing kidney issues, it is essential to work with a healthcare professional or a renal dietitian to create a tailored plan that balances mineral intake with other nutritional needs. Making these natural and sustainable dietary choices is a proactive step towards better mineral balance and overall health.

Disclaimer

The content presented in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition..

Frequently Asked Questions

The fastest way to manage high phosphorus involves a combination of medication (phosphate binders) and diet changes, especially in cases of impaired kidney function. Naturally, reducing intake of processed foods with phosphate additives and increasing water intake can help, but it is not a quick fix and requires consistent effort.

Foods naturally low in phosphorus include most fresh fruits and vegetables, white rice, pasta, and unenriched rice milk. Cooking with fresh, unprocessed ingredients is the best way to ensure lower intake.

Yes, staying properly hydrated supports overall kidney function, which is the primary natural mechanism for removing excess phosphorus from the body. It is an important part of managing kidney health, but it is most effective when combined with dietary adjustments.

Beans and lentils contain phosphorus, but it is less absorbed by the body compared to animal-based proteins. They are often considered a good protein alternative for those on a low-phosphorus diet, but moderation is still advised.

Boiling meat and vegetables in a large volume of water can help reduce their phosphorus content. It is important to discard the cooking water, as it contains the leached minerals.

Phosphate binders are medications that are taken with meals and snacks to bind to the phosphorus in food, preventing it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. The bound phosphorus is then excreted in the stool.

While organic foods generally contain fewer additives, you must still read the ingredient list carefully. Phosphate-containing additives can sometimes be present in organic processed foods, so checking labels is always the best practice.