How Calcium Intake Plays a Role in a
"Diet for Kidney Stones"
While other articles have focused on food, fluids and vitamins, this article
seeks to unravel the role of calcium intake in a diet for kidney stones.
Calcium is a vital mineral because it participates in a number of important
functions that keep the body running on full efficiency. For women, it is an
essential mineral that helps lower their chances of osteoporosis (a
degenerative bone disease), reduce the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome
(PMS), and nourish babies during pregnancy.
In fact, calcium found in many dairy products is recommended as a component
of any diet for kidney stones. These products have been proven fighters against
calcium oxalate kidney stones. One study found that those who maintained
effective intakes of calcium through foods and beverages, such as milk, showed
less risk for kidney stones than those who avoided foods rich in dietary
calcium. Those who had moderate levels of calcium with reduced protein and salt
intakes showed less signs that their kidney stones would return than those
focused on strictly a low-calcium diet.
More researchers believe in the ad campaign that claims “milk does a body
good.” As a dietary calcium source, dairy products supply approximately 80% of
the essential daily amounts of this mineral. In trying to determine how dietary
calcium works as a protector against kidney stones, researcher uncovered what
they believe is the answer. This type of calcium may work hard to ensure that
oxalate in food does not leak into the bloodstream or end up in urine.
Therefore, it is suggested that a diet for kidney stones should be rich in
foods that contain dietary calcium.
One of the reasons for this recommendation is because of the same idea that
has been previously discussed as one of the many causes - excess substances. In
this case, the excess substance is calcium, which ends up in urine and travels
through the kidneys.
Scientifically named hypercalciuria, this disorder relates to people who
have bone degeneration where calcium leaks into the bloodstream. Calcium must
be limited in people suffering from this in an attempt to slow bone loss.
However, children who have hypercalciuria still need to have to ingest calcium
because they are still in the stages of bone growth.
Should Calcium Supplements Be Part of a Diet for Kidney Stones?
There are two sides to the argument on whether calcium supplements should be
part of a kidney stone diet. One group provides evidence of studies that find
calcium supplements have reduced oxalate, thereby preventing calcium oxalate
stones. They further point out that a daily dosage of 500 mg can help the
intestines take in less calcium. Others disagree, showing proof that women who
took these supplements were at a greater risk for kidney stones.
What the experts do agree on is not going overboard on the amount of calcium
supplements that are taken. The daily recommended dose should not exceed 1,200
mg. Amounts above and beyond this level have been proven to lead to kidney
stone formation. In looking for reasons, some researchers point to the time of
day that the calcium supplements are taken. It is better to take these
supplements with dinner than with breakfast because people may either skip this
meal or eat foods considered low in oxalates.
Restricting Certain Substances
Some substances must be restricted more than others as part of a diet for
kidney stones. Here are some specific substances that may put a person at a
greater risk for stone formation:
Purines and uric acid kidney stones. Too many purines can raise the
amount of uric acid in the urine and lead to reoccurrences of uric acid kidney
stones. Purines are found in alcohol, certain types of fish (sardines and
anchovies), yeast, organ meat (liver and kidney), legumes (peas, dried beans,
and soybeans), poultry, and some vegetables (mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach,
and asparagus).
Oxalate. There are certain instances where too little calcium in the
intestines, which raises the level of oxalates traveling to the kidneys and
leads to oxalate or calcium oxalate kidney stones. Excess oxalate in urine is
medically termed, hyperoxaluria.
People who have had these types of kidney stones are recommended to start a
diet for kidney stones that reduces oxalates to no more than 50 mg per day and
that marginally increases calcium. To decrease oxalates, certain foods may have
to be minimized or completely eliminated from a person’s diet. The biggest
culprits for oxalate elevation in the urine include:
- Beets
- Chocolate
- Cranberries
- Fruit Juice, particularly apple, cranberry and
grapefruit juice
- Nuts
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Tea
- Wheat Bran
Cranberries, although listed as a major contributor to increased oxalates in
the urine, also help prevent urinary tract infections. This ailment is commonly
linked to struvite stones, which tend to be rare but may be avoided altogether
by drinking cranberry juice. Other foods that may need to be decreased or
restricted include soy, dried figs, lamb, ground pepper, carbonated beverages,
lime peel, parsley, poppy seeds, sorrel, and Swiss chard.
While there is less risk of increasing oxalates through beer, coffee, tea or
wine consumption, these substances were mentioned previously as having purines,
which may lead to uric acid kidney stones for some people with the genetic
inclination for them.
Heavy drinking of any alcoholic beverage does increase uric acid levels in
urine, raising the probability of kidney stone development.
Foods containing moderate amounts of oxalates can still be consumed but in
moderation. If there is any indication that these may be causing problems, they
should be limited from a person’s diet for kidney stones. These suspicious
foods consist primarily of certain vegetables (green and wax beans, carrots,
celery, endive, dandelion greens, green onions, okra, green peppers and sweet
potatoes) and fruits (blackberries, blueberries, concord grapes, currants,
gooseberries, lemon peel, oranges, and black raspberries).
Remember: You Are What You Eat (and Drink)
Researchers believe that approximately 80% of all kidney stones contain
calcium or oxalate or a combination of the two minerals. Too much salt and high
levels of protein can have negative affects. Changing dietary habits are
believed to reduce the levels of these substances. Proactive choices, such as
drinking more water or cranberry juice, or choosing products that are high in
potassium and magnesium, can help lower your chances of developing an
environment that increases the probability of kidney stones. Think of this as a
special diet for kidney stones.
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