High phosphate levels linked to atherosclerosis
The February 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) reports that high phosphate levels in youth are correlated with greater calcium in the coronary arteries years later, an indicator of athersclerosis.
The interesting point of this study is that high phosphate levels are often a result of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sufferers of this disease are often given phosphate-lowering drugs to reduce cardiovascular risk. This research suggests that levels currently considered on the high side of normal might also do well to be reduced.
Press release from Eurekalert!