Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
My mother develops kidney stones which attach to the kidney. She had a kidney removed at 12 yoa. She was told to avoid calcium. Her doctor told her recently her calcium was high. The article I just read stated Eat calcium-containing foods -- the calcium binds the oxalate in the gut preventing it from being absorbed. I am confused. I will be her primary care giver soon and need a good menu for her. Can you help me understand why different sources say opposing remedies? Thank you.
Mon, 4 Apr 2016
General & Family Physician, Dr. Prakruthi's Response
Hi it best to avoid foods with high calcium content. It's quite difficult to avoid foods with calcium completely but it's important to try. It is true that calcium binds with oxalate and the forms an insoluble salt that is not absorbed. But this happen to an extremely small amount of calcium and oxalate that we consume. If this were to happen with all the calcium and oxalate then we would all be deficient in calcium and oxalate. It's nature's way of striking a balance between excess and deficiency. When this balance gets tipped off issues occur. Do not take everything you read on the Internet at its face value. You can research foods with low or no calcium content. Also make sure she drinks enough water to keep her urine from getting concentrated. I hope this was helpful. I wish you and your mother good health. Take care :)
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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Kidney Stones
Hi it best to avoid foods with high calcium content. It s quite difficult to avoid foods with calcium completely but it s important to try. It is true that calcium binds with oxalate and the forms an insoluble salt that is not absorbed. But this happen to an extremely small amount of calcium and oxalate that we consume. If this were to happen with all the calcium and oxalate then we would all be deficient in calcium and oxalate. It s nature s way of striking a balance between excess and deficiency. When this balance gets tipped off issues occur. Do not take everything you read on the Internet at its face value. You can research foods with low or no calcium content. Also make sure she drinks enough water to keep her urine from getting concentrated. I hope this was helpful. I wish you and your mother good health. Take care :)