Kidney Stones And Treatment
(H/DR Adeeb Ahmed, Karachi)
Kidney Stones
Also known as: Renal Calculi
Description
Stones that form in the tissues of the Kidneys or the draining structures of the
Urinary Tract.
Components of Kidney Stones
Although these substances are not usually the cause of Kidney Stones, it is
believed that metabolism malfunctions cause their presence in Kidney Stones.
Kidney Stones are usually comprised of various combinations of any of these
Substances - the most common form of Kidney Stones is composed of Calcium and
Oxalic Acid (Calcium Oxalate).
Minerals
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Organic Acids
Oxalic Acid
Uric Acid
These Substances Alleviate or Prevent Kidney Stones
Amino Acids
Glutamic Acid can prevent Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones (by retarding the
formation of Calcium Oxalate crystals in the Urine) [scientific research -
humans: The urine of persons who are prone to Kidney Stones is usually contain
nil or low levels of Glutamic Acid].
Lysine deficiency increases the excretion of Calcium in the urine [scientific
research - animals].
Minerals
Magnesium supplementation inhibits Calcium Oxalate crystal formation in the
urine [scientific research - humans: 400 mg Magnesium per day inhibits Calcium
Oxalate crystal formation by 90%]:
- The urine of Kidney Stone sufferers has a reduced Magnesium/Calcium ratio.
- Magnesium Oxide (@ 350 mg per day) combined with Vitamin B6 (@ 100 mg per day)
achieved 89% partial elimination of Kidney Stones & 79% total elimination
[scientific research - humans].
Manganese helps to prevent Kidney Stones.
Organic Acids
Citric Acid prevents recurrent Kidney Stones.
Phospholipids
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) prevents and dissolves Kidney Stones by emulsifying
their constituent Lipids [scientific research].
Vitamins
Vitamin B6 (@ 10 mg per day) prevents the formation of Kidney Stones caused by
Hyperoxaluria (due to its role in the metabolism of Oxalic Acid)[scientific
research - humans].
Vitamin C may prevent the formation of Kidney Stones [although there are some
claims that excessive Vitamin C consumption may actually CAUSE Kidney Stones].
Water
Drink enough Water to produce 2-3 quarts of Urine daily to prevent the formation
of Kidney Stones [scientific research - humans].
These Foods or Herbs Dissolve or Prevent Kidney Stones
Barley Water reduces the pain of Kidney Stones.
Buchu helps to treat Kidney Stones [folklore].
Collinsoni (Stoneroot) accelerates the elimination of Kidney Stones.
Cornsilk breaks Kidney Stones up into fine grains which allows them to be
eliminated (but doesn't assist Oxalate Stones).
Lemon (juice) reduces the pain of Kidney Stones and facilitates their
elimination.
Parsley (juice diluted in Water) facilitates the elimination of Kidney Stones.
Parsnip facilitates the elimination of existing Kidney Stones.
Pumpkin Seeds reduce the incidence of Calcium Oxalate Stones.
Radish facilitates the elimination of existing Kidney Stones.
Rice (especially Rice Bran) inhibits the formation of Kidney Stones.
These Substances Can Cause Kidney Stones
Amino Acids
Excessive consumption of Cysteine can cause Kidney Stones (via Cystine) (if
Cysteine supplements are consumed without sufficient Vitamin C or Water).
Excessive Cystine intake may cause Kidney Stones.
Amino Acids - Toxic Byproducts
Excessive accumulation of Homocysteine can cause Kidney Stones [scientific
research - humans].
Carbohydrates
Glucose and Sucrose are associated with increased urinary Calcium concentration
(Hypercalciuria) in Kidney Stone formers [scientific research - humans]:
- Glucose and Sucrose increase the urinary output of N-Acetyl-Glucosaminidase
(NAG) enzyme which is only present in people with Kidney ailments [scientific
research].
Methylxanthines
Caffeine contributes to Kidney Stones (in Hypercalciuria sufferers) by
increasing urinary Calcium excretion [scientific research - humans].
Minerals
Excessive Calcium intake may cause Kidney Stones in people who suffer from
Hypercalciuria (abnormally high concentrations of Calcium in the urine)
[scientific research - humans].
Kidney Stones can be formed when Calcium combines with Oxalic Acid within the
Kidneys to form Calcium Oxalate - however, dietary Oxalic Acid is implicated in
Kidney Stones only when the sufferer also suffers from Hyperoxaluria (abnormally
high concentrations of Oxalic Acid in the urine).
Minerals - Toxic Heavy Metals
Cadmium increases the incidence of Kidney Stones.
Proteins
Excessive consumption of dietary Proteins can cause Kidney Stones.
Kidney Stones are associated with these Ailments
Amino Acids - Metabolism Ailments
Persons who suffer from Cystinuria are at greater risk of developing Kidney
Stones.
Digestive System
Colic is a symptom of the presence of Kidney Stones.
Minerals - Metabolism Ailments
Hypercalciuria (abnormally high concentrations of Calcium in the urine) may
cause or may indicate the presence of Kidney Stones [scientific research].
Organic Acids - Metabolism Ailments
Hyperoxaluria (abnormally high concentrations of Oxalic Acid in the urine) may
cause or may indicate the presence of Kidney Stones [scientific research].
Myths Dispelled
Minerals
Kidney Stones do not develop as a result of consuming Calcium supplements
(except when a person suffers from Hypercalciuria [scientific research -
humans].
Vitamins
Kidney Stones do not develop as a result of consuming Vitamin C supplements
[scientific research - humans: 10 grams per day of supplemental Vitamin C for
long periods did not initiate or cause any Kidney Stones].
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