K-1 KIDNEY STONE

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].