Cutting Phosphate From Diets Helps Problems Related to Kidney Disease

Medical Express reported that new research suggests severely restricting the amount of phosphate in diets can reduce deaths and reverse any vascular calcification and kidney damage sustained by sufferers of chronic kidney disease. The research, from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is available online in Kidney International, the journal of the International Society of Nephrolog.

According to the publication:

Phosphate is an essential mineral that keeps bones and teeth healthy. It is found in various forms in many foods that Americans consume, including colas, milk, cheese and other dairy products, and beans and other high-protein foods. Phosphate frequently is added as a preservative in processed foods.

While healthy kidneys easily filter waste products such as phosphate from the blood, they are less able to do so as kidney function declines. Over time, a buildup of phosphate in the blood contributes to an accumulation of calcium in the heart and blood vessels.

Senior author Eduardo Slatopolsky, MD, the Joseph Friedman Professor of Renal Diseases in Medicine said:

It appears that early, strict control of phosphate is crucial. Waiting until a person is on dialysis to get phosphate under control is too late.

A buildup of calcium in blood vessels is a huge concern. That we were able to reverse blood vessel calcification by severely restricting phosphate is impressive and may have important implications for the treatment of chronic kidney disease.

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