New research suggests that drinking sodas and eating processed foods, both of which contain high levels of phosphates may accelerate the aging process. M. Shawkat Razzaque, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Medicine, Infection and Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (US), and Mutsuko Ohnishi from the Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Japan), studied the effects of high phosphate levels in three groups of mice. The first group was missing a gene (klotho), which when absent, causes mice to have toxic levels of phosphate in their bodies. These mice lived for 8 to 15 weeks. The second group was missing the klotho gene and a second gene (NaPi2a), which when absent at the same time, substantially lowered the amount of phosphate in their bodies. These mice lived to 20 weeks. The third group, like the second group, was missing both the klotho and NaPi2a genes, but was also fed a high-phosphate diet. Like the mice in the first group, all of the mice in the third group died by 15 weeks. Thus suggesting that phosphate has toxic effects in mice, and raising the possibility that it may have a similar effect in humans. Further investigations revealed that high levels of phosphates accelerate signs of aging, and may also increase the prevalence and severity of age-related complications, such as chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular calcification, as well as inducing severe muscle 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," said Dr Razzaque. "Avoid phosphate toxicity and enjoy a healthy life."