Definition:– Crystals formed from minerals/ urinary constituents, found anywhere along the urinary tract (UT)
Symptoms:
- Usually none;
- Blood in the urine,
- Sudden excruciating pain in the back that radiates to the flank and groin; pain comes and goes
Complications –
- Kidney infection
- Kidney failure
Causes:
- Dehydration;
- frequent infections of the UT;
- urinary retention;
- alkaline urine
Treatment:
Lifestyle Recommendations
- Drink lots of fluid
- Decrease consumption of animal protein – causes the body to excrete calcium, producing excessive amounts of calcium, phosphorous and uric acid in the kidneys, often resulting in stones
- Limit foods that contain oxalic acid: asparagus, beets, celery, eggs, grapes, parsley, rhubarb, spinach, chocolate and cocoa
- Increase consumption of foods rich in vitamin A (alfalfa, apricots, cantaloupes, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, squash) – benefits urinary tract and discourages formation of stones
- Avoid salt, refined sugar,coffee and alcohol
- Drink plenty of quality water – dilutes urine and prevents concentrations of minerals and salts that from stones
Supplement Recommendations
- Inositol hexaphosphate with inositol – has been shown to prevent kidney stones
- L-Methionine (500 mg daily, before meals) – destroys free radicals associated with stone formation
- Magnesium citrate (500 mg daily) – reduces calcium absorption and can lower urinary oxalate, a mineral salt common in stones
- Vitamin B complex (50 mg of each major B vitamin 3x daily), plus extra vitamin B6 (50 mg 2x daily) – taken with magnesium, reduces oxalate
- Zinc (50-80 mg daily) – inhibits crystallization
- Herbs –
- Aloe vera juice – reduces size of stones and formationGinkgo biloba and goldenseal extracts – aid circulation to kidneys; anti-inflammatory; powerful antioxidants (do not take goldenseal daily for > 1 week, or if pregnant or allergic to ragweed)Combination of lobelia tincture (3-4 drops) and wild yam tincture (15 drops) in 1 glass warm water throughout day – helps relax ureters, relieve pain and speed passing of stones
- Marshmallow root tea (1 quart daily) – cleanses kidneys and expels stones