This time, we are dealing with a typical case of trying to eliminate crystalloidal type overloads following a fouling that the body tries to eliminate by the renal ways. The precipitation of substances, normally dissolved in blood plasma or urine, can be caused either by a metabolic disorder or by an excessive absorption of these substances.

Mineral salts, including calcium and oxalates from food, are normally present in the urine. However, an abnormally high level of mineral substances causes deposits of crystals that clump together in small masses to form stones. The formation of kidney stones depends greatly on the food ingested and also on the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the urine (depending on the type of stone). Appropriate dietary measures can eliminate more than half of the recurrences of kidney stones. Certain foods influence the urinary pH and can therefore play a preventive role.

5 dietary factors to consider in kidney stones.

- Fluids absorbed.

Drink lots of water! Swallowing a large amount of fluid reduces the potential damage from calcium, oxalate or any other mineral that can cause kidney stones. The reason is simple: water dilutes the concentration of these minerals in the urine.

During the day, you should consume at least eight glasses of liquid and in hot weather, double this volume.

Tea, hot chocolate, citrus juice and very sweet soft drinks should be consumed in moderation, especially if you are on a diet that limits calcium and oxalate intake. Remember that many beverages quench thirst, but do not really hydrate the tissues. To obtain a true hydration of the tissues, it is water that must be absorbed!

What about alcohol?

It is believed to raise the level of calcium and uric acid in the urine. Beer, especially keg beer, contains oxalates. Those who suffer from kidney stones should therefore consume as little as possible.

- Reducing salt intake.

Another way to reduce the risk of forming new stones is to reduce salt intake to lower the calcium content of the urine. People with high calcium levels in their urine should eliminate salt in food preparation or seasoning and remove all processed foods high in sodium from the menu: bacon and other cured meats, olives, canned foods (except salt-free diet foods), sauerkraut, smoked fish, frozen meals and casseroles (except low-salt products).

- Animal Protein

You should also reduce your meat consumption. Animal proteins can increase the concentration of basic constituents of the urine (calcium, oxalates and uric acid) and thus promote stone formation.

- Oxalates

Oxalates, when combined with calcium, can form stones. High levels of these salts are frequently found in the urine of patients who are susceptible to precipitate formation. That's why it's important not to eat too many foods that contain large amounts of it.

- Calcium

Because calcium is the primary component of kidney stones, it is often believed that a significant reduction in calcium intake in the diet is sufficient to control the disease; however, too drastic a reduction in dietary calcium intake may increase the level of oxalates, thus promoting the formation of new stones. It is also important to know that calcium does not cause as much deposition as protein does. Calcium would have the effect of retaining dietary oxalates in the intestines, thus preventing them from passing into the bloodstream and making their way to the kidneys where the crystals that cause stones are formed. Two or three servings of dairy products or other calcium-rich foods per day - a total of 800 mg per day - would be acceptable, but not required.

The addition of high-fiber foods to a high-fluid, low-protein diet can help reduce urinary calcium and oxalate levels. It is advisable to be cautious and to judiciously balance the intake of mineral salts.

Note : By the way, rice bran and corn bran, which contain half as much oxalates as wheat bran, may also help prevent stones.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF LITHIASES

1. CALCIUM LITHIASES

• Represent about 75% of kidney stones
• Are much more common in men
• Are more common in adults
• In most cases, they are due to an increase in calcium in the urine
• They may consist of:

CALCIUM OXALATE or CALCIUM PHOSPHATE

in 50% of cases in 25% of cases

2. PHOSPHATIC LITHIASES

• Whose stones are made of amoniaco-magnesium phosphate
• Represent about 10% of lithiasis
• Are much more common in women
• Usually found in urinary tract infections with Proteus.

3. LITHIASES URIQUES

• Whose stones are made up of uric acid and urate
• Represent about 5% of lithiasis
• Are more common in men because they depend on the level of uric acid in the urine and, of course, people with gout are more prone to uric lithiasis.

4. CYSTINE-BASED LITHIASES

• Lithiasis is very rare and affects about 1% of patients.

Extract from the book Révélations-Santé by Dr. Schmitz at Ed. Trédaniel.

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