Phosphorous in sodas and processed foods
accelerates signs of aging say Harvard
scientists
New research in the FASEB Journal shows that
high levels of phosphate in sodas and
processed foods accelerate the aging process
in mice and contribute to age-associated
complications such as chronic kidney disease
Here's another reason to kick the soda
habit. New research published online in the FASEB
Journal (http://www.fasebj.org
) shows that high levels of
phosphates may add more "pop" to sodas and
processed foods than once thought.
That's because researchers found that the
high levels of phosphates accelerate signs
of aging. High phosphate levels may also
increase the prevalence and severity of
age-related complications, such as chronic
kidney disease and cardiovascular
calcification, and can also induce severe
muscle and skin atrophy.
"Humans need a healthy diet and keeping the
balance of phosphate in the diet may be
important for a healthy life and longevity,"
said M. Shawkat Razzaque, M.D., Ph.D., from
the Department of Medicine, Infection and
Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental
Medicine. "Avoid phosphate toxicity and
enjoy a healthy life."
To make this discovery, Razzaque and
colleague examined the effects of high
phosphate levels in three groups of mice.
The first group of mice was missing a gene (klotho),
which when absent, causes mice to have toxic
levels of phosphate in their bodies.
These mice lived 8 to 15 weeks. The second
group of mice was missing the klotho gene
and a second gene (NaPi2a), which when
absent at the same time, substantially
lowered the amount of phosphate in their
bodies.
These mice lived to 20 weeks. The third
group of mice was like the second group
(missing both the klotho and NaPi2a genes),
except they were fed a high-phosphate diet.
All of these mice died by 15 weeks, like
those in the first group. This suggests that
phosphate has toxic effects in mice, and may
have a similar effect in other mammals,
including humans.
"Soda is the caffeine delivery vehicle of
choice for millions of people worldwide, but
comes with phosphorous as a passenger" said
Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of
the FASEB
Journal. "This research suggests that our
phosphorous balance influences the aging
process, so don't tip it."
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The FASEB
Journal(http://www.fasebj.org )
is published by the Federation of the
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