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Ammonium Phosphate

Also known as: Ammonium phosphate, ammonium hydrogen phosphate, DAP, Diammonium phosphate

Overview

Diammonium phosphate (DAP), with the chemical formula (NH4)2HPO4, is an inorganic salt primarily recognized for its widespread use as a fertilizer in agriculture, providing essential phosphorus and nitrogen to crops. While it is a source of bioavailable phosphate and ammonium ions, its application as a direct human dietary supplement ingredient is not well-established or supported by robust scientific evidence. In nutritional contexts, it may be considered a mineral supplement, but its direct benefits for human health are largely unproven. DAP is water-soluble, and its constituent ions, phosphate and ammonium, play crucial roles in biological processes. Phosphate is vital for energy metabolism, bone mineralization, and cellular signaling, while ammonium is metabolized in the liver to urea, influencing acid-base balance. Research on DAP's effects is extensive in agricultural and toxicological fields, but high-quality human clinical trials specifically on its supplementation benefits are notably limited.

Benefits

There is no strong evidence from high-quality human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrating direct health benefits of diammonium phosphate as a human supplement ingredient. While phosphate is an essential mineral, studies on phosphate supplementation, particularly in conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD), typically focus on phosphate binders or other forms of phosphate, not specifically diammonium phosphate. Agricultural studies consistently show that diammonium phosphate improves soil phosphorus availability and enhances crop yield, but these findings are not transferable to human health benefits. Some animal studies indicate that ammonium phosphate can affect urinary pH and mineral metabolism, but these observations are not directly applicable to establishing supplementation benefits in humans. The current body of evidence does not support the use of diammonium phosphate for any specific human health benefit.

How it works

Upon ingestion, diammonium phosphate dissociates into its constituent ions: ammonium (NH4+) and phosphate (PO4^3-). Phosphate ions are crucial for numerous biological functions, including their role in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for energy metabolism, bone mineralization, and various cellular signaling pathways. Ammonium ions are primarily metabolized in the liver, where they are converted to urea for excretion, a process that can influence the body's acid-base balance. Both phosphate and ammonium ions are readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Phosphate absorption is a regulated process, influenced significantly by vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. While phosphate is essential for mineral metabolism, the specific mechanisms by which diammonium phosphate supplementation might exert a beneficial effect in humans are not established due to a lack of direct research.

Side effects

The safety profile of diammonium phosphate as a human supplement is not well-documented, and animal studies indicate potential toxicity at high doses. Common side effects in humans are not well-established due to limited research, but animal studies suggest gastrointestinal irritation. Uncommon effects observed in animal models at high doses include possible alterations in liver and kidney weights. Rare side effects noted in animals include histological stomach inflammation and enamel banding in teeth. There are no specific drug interactions documented for humans, though the ammonium ions could theoretically affect acid-base balance, which might be a concern with certain medications or conditions. Contraindications include individuals with pre-existing kidney disease or acid-base disorders, given the metabolism of ammonium ions. Specific safety data for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women are lacking, suggesting caution. Toxicity in animals has been observed at doses of 750 mg/kg/day or higher, leading to concerns about human equivalent doses.

Dosage

The minimum effective dose for diammonium phosphate as a human supplement has not been established, and consequently, optimal dosage ranges are also undefined. There is no established maximum safe dose for human consumption; however, animal studies have indicated toxicity at doses of 750 mg/kg/day or higher, leading to effects such as stomach inflammation and changes in organ weights. The human equivalent doses for these toxic effects are unknown. Timing considerations for administration are not applicable due to the lack of established human use. Diammonium phosphate is typically administered as diammonium phosphate in agricultural contexts. For absorption, phosphate uptake is enhanced by vitamin D, and ammonium metabolism is dependent on liver function. While vitamin D and calcium are essential cofactors for general phosphate metabolism, their specific role in optimizing diammonium phosphate supplementation is not relevant given the absence of established human benefits or usage guidelines.

FAQs

Is ammonium phosphate safe as a dietary supplement?

There is insufficient evidence to confirm the safety or efficacy of ammonium phosphate as a human dietary supplement. Animal studies suggest potential toxicity at high doses, including gastrointestinal and dental effects.

Does ammonium phosphate improve mineral metabolism?

While phosphate is an essential mineral for metabolism, the benefits of ammonium phosphate supplementation for improving mineral metabolism in humans are not established by scientific research.

Can ammonium phosphate cause side effects?

Animal studies indicate that high doses of ammonium phosphate may cause gastrointestinal irritation, changes in organ weights, and effects on teeth. Human data on side effects are very limited.

Is ammonium phosphate used clinically?

Ammonium phosphate is not commonly used as a clinical supplement. Phosphate supplementation in clinical settings typically involves other forms of phosphate, not specifically ammonium phosphate.

Research Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34645696/ – This meta-analysis reviewed noncalcium-based phosphate-lowering therapies in CKD patients. While it highlighted the importance of phosphate control, it did not specifically study or support the use of ammonium phosphate supplementation, indicating a lack of direct evidence for its benefits in this context.
https://hhpprtv.ornl.gov/issue_papers/DiammoniumphosphateDAP.pdf – This animal toxicity study on diammonium phosphate in rodents showed adverse effects at high oral doses (≥750 mg/kg/day), including stomach inflammation, altered liver and kidney weights, and dental enamel effects. The findings suggest potential toxicity risks at high exposure levels, though it was limited to animal models.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/7/1885 – This agricultural study demonstrated that combining diammonium phosphate with crop residue improved phosphorus availability and crop growth. While relevant for its primary use as a fertilizer, this research does not provide evidence for human supplementation benefits.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584919/ – This review, likely an animal study, indicated that ammonium phosphate administration decreased urinary pH compared to sodium phosphate, suggesting acidifying effects of ammonium ions. This finding has implications for acid-base balance but lacks direct human supplementation data.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2257&context=usgsstaffpub – This systematic review focused on the environmental effects of ammonium and phosphate enrichment, finding mixed evidence on direct biological impacts. Its environmental focus limits its applicability to human dietary supplementation.