Nutrition
My Doctor Was Wrong About Kidney Stones….
15
Aug
Aug
| Donna, a vibrant 58-year-old woman, had always prided herself on her active lifestyle and balanced diet. When she began suffering from excruciating kidney stones, her doctor advised her to limit foods high in oxalates like spinach, beets, nuts, and animal proteins. Despite following this conventional wisdom for years, Donna continued to endure the agony of recurrent kidney stones. The intense pain often left her bedridden, and she underwent multiple lithotripsy procedures—where shock waves are used to break up stones in the kidney or ureter. Each procedure came with its own set of challenges: – Enduring the pre-operative fasts – Bloody urine – Dealing with post-operative discomfort – Facing the anxiety of uncertain outcomes Unfortunately, the stones kept forming. Donna felt trapped in a relentless cycle of pain and medical intervention. |
| It wasn’t until Donna learned about research linking high sugar and carbohydrate intake to kidney stones that she had a breakthrough. Realizing her love for sugary snacks and beverages was the real culprit, Donna decided to revamp her diet. Besides, upon contemplation, did she really think that spinach, beets and chicken were making her sick? Were spinach, beets and chicken causing wide-spread kidney stones, diabetes and heart disease across America as the medical community has suggested. |
| She started cutting out sugars and high glycemic carbs (bread, rice, crackers), replacing them with protein, veggies and low glycemic fruits. This newfound knowledge finally brought her the relief she had been desperately seeking. Her kidney stones ceased to form, although they can remain present for up to 48-months after a diet change. She regained control over her health, proving that sometimes, the key to overcoming medical challenges lies in challenging outdated advice with fresh scientific insights. |
| Recent research has shifted the understanding of kidney stone formation. Here’s an updated perspective on kidney stone management: Updated Understanding of Kidney Stones Role of Sugar: – High Sugar Intake: Diets high in sugar, especially fructose (fruit sugar), can increase the risk of kidney stones. Sugars can increase calcium, oxalate, and uric acid levels in the urine, all of which contribute to stone formation. – Insulin Resistance: Associated with high sugar intake, it can lead to changes in the kidneys that promote stone formation. Kidney Damage and Repair: – Damage from Sugar: Excess sugar intake can damage kidney function over time. The kidneys may attempt to repair this damage, leading to increased calcium excretion and stone formation. |
| Recent research has highlighted a significant link between high intake of carbs/sugars and the risk of developing kidney stones. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition analyzed data from over 28,000 adults and found that those with the highest intake of carbs/sugars had a substantially increased risk of kidney stones compared to those with the lowest intake. Specifically, participants who consumed more than 25% of their total energy from carbs/sugars had an 88% higher risk of developing kidney stones compared to those consuming less than 5% (Frontiers) (nutritioninsight.com). |
| The researchers noted that high sugar consumption, particularly from processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, is a significant risk factor that should be considered. This is alongside other known factors such as: – Obesity – Chronic diarrhea – Inflammatory bowel disease (Urology Times). The exact mechanisms by which sugar contributes to kidney stone formation is suggested that high sugar intake may lead to increased urinary calcium and oxalate excretion, both of which are key contributors to kidney stone formation. |
| For those looking to reduce their risk of kidney stones, limiting carbs/sugars in the diet is a recommended strategy, alongside maintaining proper hydration and a balanced intake of other nutrients (Frontiers) (nutritioninsight.com). Further research is needed to understand the precise relationship between sugar intake and the types of kidney stones formed. Eat: – Proteins – Fats – Low Glycemic Carbs Rooting you on, every step of the way… Derek Alessi Ph.D |
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