Phosphate in soda may accelerate aging

BOSTON, April 28 (UPI) -- High levels of phosphates -- found in sodas and processed food -- may accelerate signs of aging, U.S. researchers suggest.

The study, published in the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, also finds high phosphate levels may increase the prevalence and severity of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular calcification 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," Dr. M. Shawkat Razzaque of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine says in a statement. "Avoid phosphate toxicity and enjoy a healthy life."

Razzaque and a colleague examined the effects of high phosphate levels in mice missing the gene klotho, which when absent, causes mice to have toxic levels of phosphate in their bodies. These mice lived from eight to 15 weeks.

Mice fed a high-phosphate diet also died within 15 weeks, while mice not fed a high phosphate diet lived for 20 weeks.