Treating and Preventing Kidney Stones Naturally

Kidney stones are one of the most painful afflictions of the urinary system and have affected humans for thousands of years - evidence of kidney stones have been found in an Egyptian mummy over 7,000 years old! Made up from calcium and oxalic acid crystal deposits, they account for over 3 million visits to the doctor each year.

One of the main causes of kidney stones is a low liquid intake, and sufficient daily water consumption may lower the risk of kidney stones. High levels of sodium and protein, specifically animal protein, and curiously enough cranberry concentrate tablets may increase the risk of kidney stones due to the oxalate content, a common component of kidney stones. Unfortunately scientists have not yet proven why some people develop kidney stones and others with similar lifestyles do not. Attacks are not generally isolated though, so if you have had a stone develop, you are at risk from others developing if steps are not taken.

Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones

Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is often associated with calming eczema and other skin irritations, and for helping women suffering from period pains and menopausal symptoms. A study at the Department of Renal Medicine, at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, has shown that it is also helpful to kidney stone sufferers, since it reduces the amount of calcium present in urine. This has been attributed to its high levels of gamma-linolenic acid, which counteract the development of calcium.

Fish Oil
An interesting study at the Department of Urology at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in Scotland has shown that Greenland Eskimo’s have a very low record of stone diseases. Further research has attributed this to their diet, which is high in fish oil.

Aloe
Aloe gel (from the Aloe Vera plant) is very high in both citrate and tartrate, which means it is highly recommended at preventing kidney stone formation. Studies have shown that consumption of just 100g of Aloe gel daily is enough to reduce the build up of crystals in both adults and children.

Potassium Citrate
A Spanish University has studied the effects of potassium citrate on kidney stones and discovered that taken over a period of time, it can significantly reduce their formation. Further study at the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Oakland, California substantiated the claim that it effectively prevents reoccurring calcium oxalate stones by up to 85%.
Another study by the Department of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco showed that drinking lemonade more than doubled urinary citrate levels. It concluded that the consumption of lemon juice, which contains nearly 5 times the concentration of citric acid than orange juice, is both inexpensive and well tolerated, and can help reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a great natural source of carbohydrates, amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids. They also contain Vitamin C, D, E, and K, plus nearly all of the B vitamins. It is due to their phosphorus content however that they are highly recommended to people with bladder problems, and therefore those suffering from kidney stones.

Vitamin B6
Taken in relatively small quantities, Vitamin B6 has great therapeutic value for kidney stone sufferers. For women in particular, it can significantly reduce the risk of forming kidney stones.

Rose Hip
Rose hip is very high in Vitamin C, E and K and is commonly taken to help prevent infections, particularly the common cold and flu. Rose hips can also be used as a preventative to kidney stones.

Magnesium
Magnesium has an interesting effect on calcium oxalate crystals – otherwise known as kidney stones - in that it decreases both their growth and initial formation. This means magnesium is highly recommended as a preventative for those suffering from kidney stones and also to help reduce the risk of a re-occurrence.

Glycosaminoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been demonstrated in tests to regulate the growth of crystals in the intestine.

References:
1. Barcelo P, Wuhl O, Servitge E, Rousaud A, Pak CY. Randomized double-blind study of potassium citrate in idiopathic hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1993 Dec;150(6):1761-4. PMID: 8230497.
2. Ettinger B, Pak CY, Citron JT, Thomas C, Adams-Huet B, Vangessel A. Potassium-magnesium citrate is an effective prophylaxis against recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1997 Dec;158(6):2069-73. PMID: 9366314.
3. Seltzer MA, Low RK, McDonald M, Shami GS, Stoller ML. Dietary manipulation with lemonade to treat hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1996 Sep;156(3):907-9. PMID: 8709360.
4. Li MK, Blacklock NJ, Garside J. Effects of magnesium on calcium oxalate crystallization. J Urol. 1985 Jan;133(1):123-5. PMID: 3964871.
5. Parivar F, Low RK, Stoller ML. The influence of diet on urinary stone disease. J Urol. 1996 Feb;155(2):432-40. PMID: 8558629.
6. Johansson G, Backman U, Danielson BG, Fellström B, Ljunghall S, Wikström B. Biochemical and clinical effects of the prophylactic treatment of renal calcium stones with magnesium hydroxide. J Urol. 1980 Dec;124(6):770-4. PMID: 7441826.
7. Grases F, Masárová L, Costa-Bauzá A, March JG, Prieto R, Tur JA. Effect of "Rosa Canina" infusion and magnesium on the urinary risk factors of calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Planta Med. 1992 Dec;58(6):509-12. PMID: 1484889.
8. Curhan GC, Willett WC, Speizer FE, Stampfer MJ. Intake of vitamins B6 and C and the risk of kidney stones in women. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1999 Apr;10(4):840-5. PMID: 10203369.
9. Suphakarn VS, Yarnnon C, Ngunboonsri P. The effect of pumpkin seeds on oxalcrystalluria and urinary compositions of children in hyperendemic area. Am J Clin Nutr. 1987 Jan;45(1):115-21. PMID: 3799495.
10. Suphiphat V, Morjaroen N, Pukboonme I, Ngunboonsri P, Lowhnoo T, Dhanamitta S. The effect of pumpkin seeds snack on inhibitors and promoters of urolithiasis in Thai adolescents. J Med Assoc Thai. 1993 Sep;76(9):487-93. PMID: 7964254.
11. Buck AC, Davies RL, Harrison T. The protective role of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] in the pathogenesis of nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1991 Jul;146(1):188-94. PMID: 2056589.
12. Kirdpon S, Kirdpon W, Airarat W, Trevanich A, Nanakorn S. Effect of aloe (Aloe vera Linn.) on healthy adult volunteers: changes in urinary composition. J Med Assoc Thai. 2006 Aug;89 Suppl 2:S9-14. PMID: 17044448.
13. Kirdpon S, Kirdpon W, Airarat W, Thepsuthammarat K, Nanakorn S. Changes in urinary compositions among children after consuming prepared oral doses of aloe (Aloe vera Linn). J Med Assoc Thai. 2006 Aug;89(8):1199-205. PMID: 17048430.
14. Baggio B, Gambaro G, Marchini F, Marzaro G, Williams HE, Borsatti A. Correction of erythrocyte abnormalities in idiopathic calcium-oxalate nephrolithiasis and reduction of urinary oxalate by oral glycosaminoglycans. Lancet. 1991 Aug 17;338(8764):403-5. PMID: 1678082.
15. Tulloch I, Smellie WS, Buck AC. Evening primrose oil reduces urinary calcium excretion in both normal and hypercalciuric rats. Urol Res. 1994;22(4):227-30. PMID: 7871634.
16. Curhan GC, Willett WC, Speizer FE, Stampfer MJ. Beverage use and risk for kidney stones in women. Ann Intern Med. 1998 Apr 1;128(7):534-40. PMID: 9518397.
17. Terris MK, Issa MM, Tacker JR. Dietary supplementation with cranberry concentrate tablets may increase the risk of nephrolithiasis. Urology. 2001 Jan;57(1):26-9. PMID: 11164137.
18. Curhan GC, Willett WC, Rimm EB, Spiegelman D, Stampfer MJ. Prospective study of beverage use and the risk of kidney stones. Am J Epidemiol. 1996 Feb 1;143(3):240-7. PMID: 8561157.

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