Risk Factors of 

Kidney Stones

Based on a report [1], it has found that kidney stone incidences have increased in the United States between 1980 and 1994. It also predicts that, within the United States, about 10–15% of adults will be diagnosed with a kidney stone.

Diet plays an important role in the development of kidney stones. As we eat richer diets, we must deal with more wastes. And wastes come through our kidneys and out in our urine. The relation between diet and kidney stones may be different in older adults because the metabolism of many dietary factors, such as calcium, may change with age. Body size also affect the relation between diet and kidney stone formation. Therefore, dietary recommendations for stone prevention should be tailored to the individual patient.[2]

Four Major Dietary Factors

There are four major "hot spots" in a stone former's diet:

All can directly influence our potential for developing kidney stones and they can interact with one another to tip the balance toward stone formation.  For example, evidence suggests that when consumed together, calcium may bind with oxalate in the upper gastro-intestinal tract and pass through stool before these compounds can reach the kidneys and cause nephrolithiasis. In a study conducted by Cleveland Clinic nephrologists, 24-hour metabolic analysis showed significant changes in urinary calcium and oxalate excretion with vitamin D supplementation, suggesting a possible protective effect.[17]

In [18], Aaron Miller et al at Clevelant Clinic have discovered the importance of microbial oxalate metabolism by the gut microbiota:

The results of their study has shown that both antibiotics and high-fat, high-sugar diet have a significant, negative impact on oxalate metabolism. Oxalate, present in 80 percent of kidney stones, is a significant contributor to the formation of stones and is often a target for therapy to prevent recurrent episodes of  urinary stone disease.

In other words, you want to host a healthy intestinal oxalate-degrading bacteria communities, which can degrade oxalate and significantly reduce the amount circulating in the blood, if you consume a high oxalate diet.

24-hour Urine Study

A simple examination of urine component can reveal a patient's stone risk. It has been found that:

Risk Factors

Read this companion article for all risk factors of kidney stones.

Warning


This article is not intended as and does not substitute for doctor's advices - the content presented is for your information only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.


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