Effect of small doses of aluminum-containing antacids on calcium and phosphorus metabolism

Abstract

The effect of small doses of four commercially available aluminum-containing antacids on calcium and phosphorus metabolism was investigated in adult males in 20 studies. During the use of these doses of antacids, urinary and fecal calcium increased significantly during a low calcium intake averaging 252 mg/day, and the calcium balances became distinctly more negative. There was a reversal of the normal pattern of phosphorus excretions, namely, the fecal phosphorus was high and the urinary phosphorus was low. During a normal calcium intake of 800 mg/day, these doses of antacids did not result in significant changes of the calcium excretions or balance. Despite the decrease in net intestinal absorption of calcium, the average 47Ca absorption remained unchanged, irrespective of the type and dose of antacid used. In three patients who received large therapeutic doses of antacids, 240 to 450 ml/day, the changes of calcium and phosphorus metabolism were intensified.

Alcoholism-associated spinal and femoral bone loss in abstinent male alcoholics, as measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry

“…Despite our limitations, the use of aluminum-containing antacids showed significant negative correlation with femoral neck BMD. This is consistent with research indicating that the combined use of alcohol and aluminum-containing antacids may have a synergistic effect on inducing bone loss [37][38][39].…”

Aluminum Concentrations in Selected Foods Prepared in Aluminum Cookware, and Its Implications for Human Health

“…Kawachy and Pearce (1991) and Martyn et al (1989) suggested that aluminum is more bioavailable when dissolved in water than in foodstuffs. Other researchers have observed that some patients may consume up to 1 gram of aluminum daily in the form of antacids, apparently without any signs of dementia or other aluminum related diseases (Aikoh and Nishio 1996) while Spencer et al (1982), on the other hand reported that only small amounts of Alcontaining antacids affect calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Corrodible aluminum cookware may be a significant source of aluminum intake, but the link between this source and possible biological effects is still unclear.…”

“…Such patients are exposed to higher aluminum levels than normal from large volumes of water used in dialysis (Precott 1989). It is also well known that high dosages of medicaments like antacids containing aluminum hydroxide contribute to the body burden of aluminum (Spencer 1982). Other important sources are foodstuffs prepared and/or stored in aluminum utensils.…”

Orthopaedic · Radiology · Pathology Conference: Chronic Multifocal Chest and Leg pain in a 34-year-old Woman

“…The resulting hypophosphatemia is thought to prevent proper nucleation of mineral salts into the bone matrix, causing osteomalacia [6,11]. In addition, hypercalciuria can appear within 2 weeks [25] and, if not adequately supplemented in the diet, can lead to increased bone resorption via parathyroid hormone [2].…”