symptom of kidney stones : Preventing Kidney Stones Naturally

Kidney stones are hard painful lumps which can grow from crystals formed in the kidneys; they cause pain in the back or the flanks which can radiate down into the groin area. Sometimes other symptoms of chills, blood in urine, fever and upset stomach occur with Kidney stones. Kidney stones are a condition that affects men rather than women who are typically over the age of 30 years. Kidney stones are made up of over 75-80% of calcium oxalate and are caused by a high concentration of calcium in the urine. Many conditions can lead to this high concentration but most common is diet, a diet that is low in fibre, high in refined carbohydrates, alcohol, animal protein, fats, salt and calcium and vitamin D rich foods is linked with the formation of kidney stones.

Diet can help in the prevention of kidney stones, if your family health history shows that you may be prone to kidney stones then it is best to avoid oxalate-rich foods such as beets, beans, blueberries, celery, grapes, chocolate, strawberries, spinach, rhubarb, tea, nuts, bran, almonds and peanuts. It is also best to avoid calcium supplements and foods which cause increased levels of urinary calcium such as animal protein from meat, dairy products, fish and poultry. It is for this reason that vegetarians suffer less from kidney stones and if your are prone to kidneys stones it may well be wise to keep to a vegetarian style diet. Potassium reduces urinary calcium excretion and by eating fruit and vegetables which are high in potassium the risk of suffering from kidney stones is reduced.

It is also best to keep to a low salt diet, as salt increases urinary calcium. Drinking plenty of citrus fruit juices especially lemon juice will help to avoid kidney stones, this is because citric acid (citrate) protect against kidney stone formation. The only rule against this is grapefruit juice, it is not exactly known why but grapefruit juice actually increases the risk of kidney stones, the other fruit juice to avoid is apple juice, it is not known why but it also increases the risk of kidney stones. Drinking water, tea and coffee, milk will reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Good supplements to take are magnesium combined with vitamin B6; this will help to reduce kidney stone formation.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Kidney Stones.

Chondroitin sulphate

IP-6 (phytic acid)

Magnesium citrate and Potassium citrate together Vitamin B6

Vitamin E

Pumpkin seeds

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Advice for a healthier natural life

website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com

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