You Increase Your Death Risk if You Have Lots of This in Your Diet

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ( one of my favorite medical journals), shows a association between an excess intake of phosphorous and an increased risk of death.

Dietary phosphorous is found in such foods as: milk, cheese, grains, dried beans, peas, nuts and peanut butter.  This element is necessary for normal cellular function such as energy storage, metabolism, the utilization of many B vitamins, the buffering of body fluids, kidney excretion of hydrogen ions ( part of the oxidation/reduction reactions that lead to cellular aging), proper cellular and nerve function and maintaining calcium balance.  As you can see, phosphorous is vital to our body's health.

However, if taken in excess, calculated to be over 1400 mg/day, this element was seen to be associated with an increased risk of death from, "any cause."  The researchers did not establish a 1:1 ratio at this point, but this finding is consistent with those of other studies in which a cause and effect was established between increased phosphoric acid intake and osteoporosis and, sometimes,  heart disease.  What is the primary dietary source of excessive phosphoric acid in the American diet?  Soda.

My recommendation is for anyone who drinks soda on a regular basis, please check the can/bottle labels to see just how much phosphoric acid you are ingesting.  It doesn't matter if the soda is zero calorie or regular, it contains phosphoric acid.  The body doesn't recognize the phosphorous that is in soda and cannot utilize it, at all.  Dietary sources of phosphates are easily utilized by the body and helps keeps us healthy.

We do know that excessive intake of phosphates can lead to hyperphosphatemia, which occurs in people with impaired kidney function and can cause serious electrolyte imbalances and even, in some cases, death.

Cutting out or down on soda is one of the easiest changes that can be made to the diet.  This is especially important for children and the elderly, as they are always highly susceptible to electrolyte imbalances and the negative effects that soda can have on the body.

Some researchers believe that a low phosphorous intake is indicated in the third trimester of pregnancy as phosphorous levels rise, probably due to thyroid stimulation.  Usually, this element is well utilized throughout pregnancy, but probably should be carefully monitored in high-risk or susceptible cases.  These women need to check the phosphorous content of any supplements they take.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com