Posted on 07/12/2025 9:54:35 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Diets rich in phosphate additives, commonly found in processed foods, can increase blood pressure by triggering a brain signaling pathway and overactivating the sympathetic nervous system that regulates cardiovascular function, researchers discovered. Their findings could lead to treatment strategies for patients with hypertension caused by overconsumption of foods containing high levels of phosphates.
"This research uncovers a previously unrecognized brain-mediated mechanism by which high dietary phosphate intake promotes hypertension and sympathetic overactivation, highlighting central fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling as a novel therapeutic target," said Han Kyul Kim, Ph.D.
Inorganic phosphate is often used as a preservative or flavor enhancer in packaged foods, processed meats, and other dietary staples. As a result, the study reports, the average adult in developed countries consumes phosphate far above the recommended daily allowance.
Following excessive phosphate intake, circulating fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) can enter the brain and induce hypertension, Dr. Kim and his colleagues report in their study. The research outlines a new paradigm for this previously unclear mechanism and identifies a potential target for developing treatment strategies.
Hypertension occurs when the pressure that pushes against a patient's arterial walls is too high.
Researchers ran a series of tests that measured and compared FGF23 protein levels, mean arterial pressure, and renal sympathetic nerve activity in rats receiving a high (1.2%) phosphate diet and another group on a normal (0.6%) phosphate diet. The measurement was repeated during stress response to exercise by stimulation of the spinal cord.
Researchers found that those on the high phosphate diet showed increased levels of FGF23 protein in their serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain stem, and that FGF23 proteins were able to cross the blood-brain barrier, causing high blood pressure both at rest and during physical stress.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Me too!
The only thing left to eat would be garden grown kale.
I split my time between Honduras and Texas. When I leave the US I will lose 7-10 pounds in a couple of weeks. When I return to The States, I gain it back in two weeks.
Every expat I know complains of the same thing.
EC
Indians in Asia during the 1950s ate none of that stuff and lived to the ripe, old age of 36.
Been years since I ate processed anything. No cheese, no butter, etc etc.
“Calcium fortified” often means calcium phosphate. Look at OJ and milk.
I think that’s a safe form of phosphorus. Human and cow milk contain calcium phosphate.
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