Queen’s University
Dietary  Phosphate as a Sex-specific Mediator of Bone Loss in Spaceflight — Astronauts lose substantial amounts of bone during space missions. Abnormalities in the way the body handles phosphate
has been linked to bone loss on Earth. Astronauts on the International Space Station consume high levels of phosphate, but
it is unknown whether this contributes to bone loss during space travel. In this study, the objective is to determine whether
phosphate metabolism is altered and whether dietary phosphate contributes to bone loss in microgravity. The results of
this study could inform optimal nutrient contents of astronaut diets and may have implications for people on Earth who are
at risk for bone loss.