Adverse effects of the intake of aluminum have been emphasized in recent years in terms of the deposition of aluminum in tissues. Increased concentration of aluminum has been reported in blood,1 in the liver, heart, and muscle,2 in bone,3 in the parathyroid gland,4 and in the brain.5 The deposition of aluminum in the brain has been related to the cause of Alzheimer's disease6-8 and of uremic encephalopathy.9-11 It has also been reported that aluminum contained in antacids is absorbed from the intestine.12,13
With regard to the effect of aluminum on mineral metabolism, aluminum contained in antacids combines with phosphorus in the intestine and results in a notable increase in fecal phosphorus excretion and, therefore, in inhibition of the intestinal absorption of phosphorus. This decrease in phosphorus absorption is reflected by a substantial decrease in urinary phosphorus, by lowering of the serum phosphorus