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Linda Fugate
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Phosphate: Silent, Stealthy Killer

Phosphate is not poisonous unless something is wrong. Our bones and teeth are composed primarily of calcium phosphate. Healthy levels of phosphate in the bloodstream and tissues are vital to our metabolism. But too much dissolved phosphate is linked to death from cardiovascular disease.

My doctor routinely orders blood tests for lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), liver function, blood count, and the basic metabolic profile of glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, and calcium. Phosphate is not included; I've never had my phosphate checked. So the first reference for this article caught my attention.

Phosphate, according to the medical literature, is a key factor in atherosclerosis. Experiments with animal models and human aorta cell cultures indicate that elevated phosphate in the blood tricks artery cells into acting like bone-producing cells (osteoblasts). These artery cells produce mineral deposits, which form calcified plaques. As Reference 1 describes the process, hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate in the blood) is “an 'insidious bone-maker' in the walls of blood vessels”. For me, this puts “hardening of the arteries” in a new perspective.

So what causes high phosphate in the blood? The most likely candidate, according to some researchers, is a defect in kidney function. A recent review article reports that high phosphate is linked to cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. The authors investigated whether the same link exists in subjects without obvious signs of kidney failure. Their conclusion: yes, elevated phosphate is associated with cardiorenal disease even before a loss of kidney function can be measured in terms of glomerular filtration rate.

Phosphate has a lot in common with cholesterol. Both are necessary for life, in healthy amounts. But too much in the bloodstream promotes vascular damage that ultimately causes heart attacks and strokes.

Approximately 13% of the US population has some degree of chronic kidney disease. Many are not diagnosed before significant damage has already been done.

We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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