Excessive Consumption of Phosphate Pose Risk To Health

Experts have recommended for labeling of food products that contains phosphate, as excessive consumption of the additives could pose threat to health.

Eberhard Ritz and his co-authors selectively reviewed the literature on the subject, which documents the fact that excessive phosphate consumption elevates mortality in patients with renal disease.

Recent studies have also shown that phosphate apparently damages blood vessels and induces aging processes. Free phosphate, the type found in food additives, is entirely resorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

People with renal disease have been found to have a markedly elevated serum phosphate concentration.

Phosphate additives are present in many types of fast food, which are eaten mainly by persons of lower socioeconomic status. It seems likely that excessive phosphate consumption is linked to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the general population.

The authors conclude that physicians and the public need to be educated about the role of phosphate additives as a risk factor for disease.

The study has been published in Deutsches Arzteblatt International.

Source: ANI