The New Nordic Diet: phosphorus content and absorption

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Cardiovascular Health
• Dietary Phosphorus Metabolism

Background:

• High dietary phosphorus intake is linked to adverse cardiovascular health outcomes.
• The New Nordic Diet (NND) emphasizes local, organic, and less processed foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish.
• The Average Danish Diet (ADD) serves as a control for comparison.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if the NND reduces phosphorus load compared to the ADD.
• To assess the impact of NND on phosphorus absorption and plasma phosphorus levels.
• To evaluate dietary phosphorus intake in subjects following NND versus ADD.

Main Methods:

• A post hoc analysis of a 26-week controlled trial involving 132 centrally obese subjects with normal renal function.
• Measurement of plasma and urine phosphorus and creatinine at baseline, week 12, and week 26.
• Calculation of fractional phosphorus excretion to determine phosphorus absorption rates.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in the change of fractional phosphorus excretion between the NND and ADD groups (p = 0.6).
• A significant difference in the mean change of plasma phosphorus at week 26, favoring the ADD group (p = 0.001).
• Baseline phosphorus intake was similar, but the NND group showed a smaller decrease in intake compared to the ADD group.

Conclusions:

• The NND did not reduce phosphorus intake or fractional phosphorus excretion compared to the ADD.
• Contrary to expectations, the NND did not demonstrate a beneficial effect on phosphorus absorption.
• Dietary modifications to the NND are required to potentially reduce phosphorus load and improve cardiovascular health outcomes.