Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones
Kidney stone disease involves the formation of kidney stones, which are deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. Kidney stones can be made up of up to 6 different types of components, although calcium oxalate stones account for 60% of cases [1].
What are they?
Calcium oxalate kidney stones form when urine becomes supersaturated with calcium oxalate. This supersaturation leads to the formation of crystals that eventually form calcium oxalate stones. It is worth noting that this type of kidney stone is closely related to the patient's lifestyle, especially their diet. In addition, it is associated with low urine production, high levels of calcium and oxalate in the urine, and low levels of citrate in the urine.
How to avoid or prevent them? [1]–[3]
1. Change your diet
As we have already mentioned on several occasions (uric acid kidney stones), this type of kidney stone is closely related to your diet. To prevent their formation, you should:
- Limit oxalate and sodium intake
- Reduce your alcohol consumption
2. Drink enough fluids
As we have already mentioned on several occasions (uric acid kidney stones), don't forget that the most important thing to prevent stones is to drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily (preferably water). You'll know it's enough when the color of your urine is almost transparent.
3. Increase your physical activity
As we have already mentioned on several occasions (uric acid kidney stones), it has been shown that an increase in physical activity is associated with a decrease in the risk of stone formation [4].
4. Control your urinary pH and use aids to inhibit crystallization
The formation process of calcium oxalate kidney stones is not associated with a specific urinary pH range. For this reason, the recommendation is to maintain a preventive range between 5.5 and 6.2 [2].
In addition, remember that there are food supplements with ingredients that will help you maintain the normal balance of your body without altering urinary pH and thus prevent crystallization.
References:
[1] S. Tekgül et al., “EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis,” Eur. Assoc. Urol., vol. 69, no. 3, pp. 475–482, 2016.
[2] F. Grases, A. Costa-Bauzá, I. Gomila, M. Ramis, A. García-Raja, and R. M. Prieto, “Urinary pH and renal lithiasis,” Urol. Res., vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 41–46, 2012.
[3] P. M. Ferraro and M. Bargagli, “Dietetic and lifestyle recommendations for stone formers.,” Arch. Esp. Urol., vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 112–122, Jan. 2021.
[4] P. M. Ferraro, G. C. Curhan, M. D. Sorensen, G. Gambaro, and E. N. Taylor, “Physical Activity, Energy Intake and the Risk of Incident Kidney Stones,” J. Urol., vol. 193, no. 3, pp. 864–868, 2015.
