Inorganic phosphate: a link between processed food and exercise intolerance in the modern world

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness are global health issues.
• Western diets increasingly feature ultra-processed foods (UPFs) with high inorganic phosphate (Pi) additives.
• Habitual Pi intake often exceeds recommendations due to high absorption of these additives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence linking UPF consumption and dietary Pi excess to exercise intolerance.
• To explore skeletal muscle dysfunction as a key mechanism.
• To identify future research and public health intervention directions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing observational, experimental, and cellular studies.
• Analysis of associations between serum Pi, dietary Pi intake, and physical activity.
• Investigation of cellular and molecular mechanisms in skeletal muscle.

Main Results:

• Higher Pi intake correlates with reduced physical activity and sedentary time.
• High-Pi diets impair muscle ATP synthesis, increase phosphocreatine depletion during exercise, and reduce maximal oxygen uptake.
• Elevated Pi induces skeletal muscle atrophy, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Chronic excess dietary inorganic phosphate from UPFs contributes to exercise intolerance.
• Skeletal muscle dysfunction, including impaired energy metabolism and mitochondrial injury, is a primary mechanism.
• Reducing UPF consumption and managing dietary Pi intake are crucial for public health.