A new report from the Institute of Medicine finds most Americans are getting sufficient levels of vitamin D and calcium. That's the good news. The bad news is that postmenopausal women who take calcium supplements could be overdoing it and increasing their risk for kidney stones.
It made me think of my aunt who in her fifties experienced her first kidney stone. I'll never forget her description of the excruciating discomfort she suffered. It turns out that kidney stones are one of the most painful urologic disorders. The stones are created from tiny crystals that separate from the urine in the urinary tract. Although most of these small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys will pass without medical intervention, every year more than a half million people with kidney stones head to the emergency room.
Having one kidney stone can increase your chances of having another, which is why it's important to take steps to avoid them. Doctors recommend you drink plenty of water. They suggest ten to twelve glasses of water a day. Avoid a high-protein, high-sodium and high-sugar diet which can increase your risk of kidney stones. Keep your weight down since obesity is also associated with the formation of kidney stones. Reduce your intake of oxalate-rich foods like rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, sweet potatoes, chocolate and soy products. Finally, keep eating calcium rich foods but stay away from calcium supplements which can make you more prone to stones.
To learn more about kidney stones including treatment options, click on the following link:
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stones_ez/
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