Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:08 pm   Reply with quote      

What causes a person to get kidney stones and what do you have that will get rid of them for good?

Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:14 pm   Reply with quote      

Kidney stones are accumulations of mineral salts and metabolic by-products that have crystallized out of the urine and lodge anywhere along the urinary tract or inner surfaces of the kidney. About 73% of kidney stones are calcium stones (composed of calcium oxalate). Calcium containing stones occur in people who have excess calcium in their urine (hypercalciuria). This condition often runs in families because the tendency to absorb too much calcium is hereditary. The incidence also increases with deficiencies in magnesium, B-6, and other nutrients.

Drinking plenty of water is probably the single most important factor in preventing crystallization of calcium and oxalate in the urine. Divide your body weight in half and that is how many ounces of water you should be drinking a day. Filtered or spring water is the best to use to minimize added chemicals. Below is an attached document that will provide further information on the importance of water.

There are several dietary suggestions from our protocol that will also help. Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates as they have been shown to increase the risk of stone formation, especially soft drinks. Increase consumption of high potassium foods because a deficiency increases risk for kidney stone formation. Potatoes, prunes, grapes, bananas, kiwi, apricots, dried beans, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and oranges are rich potassium sources. Dietary sources of fiber such as rice bran, wheat bran, flax meal, and other fibers from fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains are beneficial in reducing urinary calcium excretion. Eat foods rich in vitamin K. All green foods contain vitamin K. This may be one of the reasons why vegetarians have a lower risk for kidney stones. Vitamin K is necessary for the formation of a molecule that is a powerful inhibitor of kidney stone formation. Finally increasing foods with a high magnesium-to-calcium ratio will help because magnesium can reduce the risk of stones by increasing the solubility of calcium oxalate. The list of foods high in magnesium are barley, bran, corn, buckwheat, rye, oats, brown rice, avocado, banana, cashew, coconut, peanuts, sesame seeds, lima beans and potato.

Taking a quality multivitamin mineral will provide the body with a base line of nutrients. Adding some magnesium citrate to get about 200-400mg a day (total dose including multiple) will help because it can inhibit formation of calcium oxalate crystals in the urine. Also adding 50mg. of vitamin B-6 a day (total dose including multiple) because taken with magnesium it reduces oxalate. Vitamin C reduces the incidence of stones and sticking to a dose of 1000-1500mg. a day may provide support.

Marshmallow root tea has a gentle cleansing effect on the kidneys and cleavers tea may aid in prevention too.

Water @@@