| Traditionally,
it was believed that people suffering from Calcium-based
kidney stones, should reduce their Calcium intake
to avoid the recurrence of the disease. However, recent
researches suggest that plenty of Calcium intake actually
helps inhibit the formation of stones in the kidneys.
Combining with Oxalate in our intestinal tract, Calcium
forms Calcium Oxalate which prevents Oxalate absorption
in the urinary tract.
Oxalate being a stronger supporter
of stone formation than Calcium, the more we consume
Calcium in both dietary and supplementary forms, lesser
is the chances of Oxalate absorption, and the subsequent
formation of kidney stones.
However, you may not benefit anything
by consuming Calcium Carbonate in supplemental form
for preventing kidney stone formation. This is because
Calcium Carbonate has similar effect on the prevention
of kidney stone as it has on Colorectal Cancer. Due
to its low absorbability in our stomach, Calcium from
Calcium Carbonate cannot bind with oxalate in the
intestine, leading to Oxalate absorption in the urinary
tract. This in turn, enhances the risk of kidney stone
formation. This is further substantiated by researches,
which says that intake of elemental Calcium in the
form of Calcium Carbonate enhances the risk of kidney
stones among healthy post menopausal women.
Sources:
1. Liebman, Michael, and Weiwen Chai. Effect of dietary
calcium on urinary oxalate excretion after oxalate
loads. Amer J Clin Nutr. 65 : 1453-9.
2.Robertson W.G, Peacock M, Heyburn
P.J, Hanes F.A. Epidemiological risk factors in calcium
stone disease, Scand J Urol Nephrol Supplement 1980;
53 : 15-30.
3. Massey L.K, Roman-Smith H, Sutton
R.A.L. Effect of dietary oxalate and calcium on urinary
oxalate and the risk of formation of calcium oxalate
kidney stones. J Am Dietet Assoc 1993, 93 : 901-6.
4. Calcium and Kidney Stones, Better
Nutrition, August, 2004.
A rocky road : Treating Kidney Stones by Christine
Haran. Published on August 8, 2003 .
5. Calcium plus Vitamin D Supplementation
and Risk of Fractures NEJ Med. Feb. 2006, 354;7
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