Kidney Stones

Also known as:  Nephrolith;  Renal Calculi;  Renal Stone Disease;  Urolithiasis

Kidney Stones are Stones that form in the tissues of the Kidneys or the draining structures of the Urinary Tract.

Kidney Stones cause severe Pain in the Kidneys (known as Renal Cholic).  This is one of the most severe forms of Pain known to humans.

 Approximately 10% of the male population of Western countries experience a Kidney Stones attack during their lifetime.

 Approximately 5% of the female population of Western countries experience a Kidney Stones attack during their lifetime.

 Kidney Stones occur more commonly in persons aged above 30 years.

 Kidney Stones occur more often in Summer, due to the increased risk of Dehydration during Summer.

Although these substances are not usually the cause of Kidney Stones, it is believed that metabolism malfunctions cause their presence in Kidney Stones.

Kidney Stones are usually comprised of various combinations of any of the following substances - the most common form of Kidney Stones is composed of Calcium and Oxalic Acid (Calcium Oxalate).  Another, less common, form of Kidney Stones is Calcium Phosphate Kidney Stones.

Amino Acids

 Cysteine or Cystine is present in 2% of Kidney Stones.

Minerals

        Calciumis present in 75% of Kidney Stones.  It is present in the form of Calcium Oxalate, Calcium Phosphate, or Calcium Urate.  Calcium Oxalate is the most common component of Kidney Stones.  ^[1]

        Magnesium is present in 15% of Kidney Stones.  It is present in the form of Struvite (which is Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate).  Struvite Kidney Stones are associated with chronic bacterial Urinary Tract Infections capable of splitting Urea into Ammonium, which combines with Phosphate and Magnesium.

        Phosphorus is present in Struvate Kidney Stones and Calcium Phosphate Kidney Stones.

Organic Acids

        Oxalic Acid is present in Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones.  Calcium Oxalate is the most common component of Kidney Stones.  ^[1]

        Uric Acid is present in 6% of Kidney Stones, usually in the form of Calcium Urate.  Approximately 25% of persons with Uric Acid Kidney Stones also have Gout.

Amino Acids

 Glutamic Acid may prevent Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones (by retarding the formation of Calcium Oxalate crystals in the Urine).  ^[3]

 Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-Acetate (EDTA) - the synthetic Amino Acid used in Chelation Therapy -  may help to “dissolve” Kidney Stones (by chelating with the Minerals that comprise Kidney Stones). 

 Lysine deficiency may increase the excretion of Calcium in the Urine (and optimal Lysine levels inhibit the excretion of Calcium via the Urine - excessive excretion of Calcium has been implicated in Kidney Stones).  ^[4]

 The N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) form of Cysteine may be an effective treatment for Kidney Stones (where Kidney Stones are caused by Calcium Oxalate or Cystine accumulation).  ^[5]

Carbohydrates

 Chondroitin Sulfate may reduce the risk of Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones (by lowering urinary Oxalic Acid levels).  ^[6]

 Glucosamine Sulfate may reduce the risk of Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones (by lowering urinary Oxalic Acid levels).  ^[7]

Microorganisms

 Oxalobacter formigenes may help to prevent (Calcium Oxalate) Kidney Stones.  ^[8]

Minerals

 Boron may help to prevent (Calcium Oxalate) Kidney Stones.  ^[9]