Calcium carbonate is the most commonly used calcium compound for binding phosphorus. In patients with chronic kidney failure, phosphorus is the most common cause of disease progression. For this reason, one of the goals of the therapeutic approach is to reduce phosphorus intake through foods that are low in phosphorus or with substances that bind phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract.
It breaks down in the digestive tract and the resulting calcium ions bind the phosphorus contained in the food, forming insoluble and non-absorbable calcium phosphate. This achieves a reduction in phosphorus intake. Studies in dogs and humans show that reducing phosphorus intake is one of the factors that contribute to increased survival time in patients with chronic kidney failure.