Dicalcium Phosphate

Definition

An inorganic compound typically used as a leavening agent in foods.

Health Impact

Intake of phosphates has more than doubled since the 1990's to over 1,000 mg a day, higher than the 700 mg/day average recommended by the Institute of Medicine. Consuming excess phosphates has been linked to cardiovascular disease and calcium deposits and hardening of the arteries in the heart which can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks. Higher intakes of phosphates have also been linked to a negative impact on bone health.

Sources

• Phosphate Additives in Food—a Health Risk

  NCBI

• Understanding sources of dietary phosphorus in the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease

  Pub Med

• Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride.

  Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes.

• High dietary phosphorus intake is associated with all-cause mortality: results from NHANES III1,2,3

  The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

• Increasing dietary phosphorus intake from food additives: potential for negative impact on bone health

  Pub Med

• Relations of serum phosphorus and calcium levels to the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the community

  Pub Med