High Phosphate Diet Bad for the Heart

Study Proves Link Between Phosphates and Cardiovascular Disease

(RxWiki News) Interested in reducing your risk of heart disease? It might be easier than you think.

Cutting out cake, biscuits, cereal and certain other high phosphate foods may be all that is needed to do the trick.

Recent research funded by the Sheffield Kidney Association and the National Institute for Health Research shows a link between a high phosphate diet and heart disease, marking the first time that a connection between the two has been established.

"Eat fewer phosphates to lower your risk of heart disease."

Researchers found that cholesterol deposits in the wall of arteries are increased by a high phosphate diet. This leads to narrowing of the arteries which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Foods that are high in phosphates include nuts, chocolate-flavored milk drinks, dairy products, cereals, cakes, biscuits, eggs, soy products and some types of meat and fish.

Dr. Tim Chico, who led the research from the University of Sheffield's department of cardiovascular science called the finding "exciting," noting that it could mean a new method for reducing heart disease has been discovered. He hopes to use the research as a springboard to examine new treatments to help reduce phosphate levels in the bloodstream.

He said the discovery demonstrates the importance of reducing phosphate consumption in everyday diets, and in some cases utilizing drugs called binders that stop phosphates from being absorbed.

Review Date: 
June 7, 2011