Health Issues Linked to Kidney Stones
Description:
Most people describe hard masses that form in the urinary tract as
kidney stones. However, these stones can be formed anywhere in the
urinary tract: the bladder, ureter, or the kidney. Kidney stones are
more common in older adults, particularly men. Those at higher risk of
kidney stones include people with certain diseases, such as
hypertension, and those who eat a high-protein diet or don't drink
enough water.
Kidney stones may be various sizes, from microscopic to one inch in
diameter. They may be caused for various reasons. The urine may become
saturated with salts, or may lack the inhibitors that prevent kidney
stones from forming. Most (80 percent) of kidney stones are made of
calcium, and the rest are made of uric acid, cystine, and struvite.
Symptoms of kidney stones include pain in the lower abdomen that can
be excruciating and intermittent. Other symptoms include nausea and
vomiting, abdominal distention, chills, fever, and blood in the urine.
Kidney stones may result in a urinary tract infection if the stones
block the urinary tract and cause the urine to back up and pool. This
can eventually put pressure on and distend the kidneys, leading to
eventual damage.
-- Causes of Kidney Stones --
There are generally three types of kidney stones and all three of
them have to do with the indigestion of certain foods in our diet.
Specifically Uric Acid stones from Proteins (hard to digest proteins
consist of animal meats, especially red meat). Calcium Phosphate stones
from undigested fats (fried and hydrogenated fats). And Calcium Oxalate
from junk foods (heavily processed foods like white flour and table
sugar).
A person with a family history of Kidney Stones may be more likely to develop them.
-- The Nutritional Approach --
Foods that have been proven to help with Kidney Stones:
Strawberries, Mustard Greens, Orange, Kiwi, Salmon, Banana, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Cranberry Juice.
Avoid foods containing purines (i.e., shellfish, organ meats, red meat, anchovies, mackerel, yeast).
Limit oxalate-containing foods (coffee, black tea, chocolate, spinach, eggplant).
Nutrients proven to help dissolve kidney stones:
Vitamin C, Digestive Enzymes, Lipase, Vitamin B6 |
