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Kidney Stones

GOINDIS NATUROPATHY TRUST(INDIA)
Charity Registration No.845/4 dated 03.09.2003

KIDNEY STONES
Curing
WITH NATRO-FOOD THERAPY

SANTOKH SINGH PARMAR

FOUNDER TRUSTEES:
Satyendra Singh Goindi, MSc, LLB, ND
Gurkirpal Kaur Goindi, BA, BEd, DPE, ND
Santokh Singh Parmar, B Arch, Dip TP, Dip LA, MRTPI, AITP, AIIA
Devinder Singh Saroya, PCS
Gurmukh Singh Girn, MSc, MCRP, AITP

KIDNEY STONES – CURING WITH NATURO-FOOD THERAPY

INTRODUCTION

What are Kidneys?

1.       The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, lying below the waist on either side of the spinal column on the back wall of the spinal column. They are soft, reddish brown in colour, and, on an average, measure 10 cm in length, 6 cm in width and are 2.5 cm thick at the centre. They are the filtering plant for purifying the blood, removing wastes and salts from it which are passed into the bladder as urine. Kidneys contain almost 65 km of tubes that process about 455 litres of blood daily. To do their job properly, kidneys need the right balance of liquids and dissolved solids. When this balance is out of whack, a kidney stone can form.

What are Kidney Stones?

2.       The formation of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract is a fairly common problem of metabolism involving chemical salts like calcium, oxalate, phosphate and uric acid. They may vary in consistency from grit sand and gravel like obstructions to the size of bird’s eggs. The stones may form and grow because the concentration of a particular salt in the urine exceeds its solubility and kidneys fail to filter properly or as a result of nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). This disorder occurs frequently in middle age, with men being afflicted more often than women.

Types of Stones

3.       Chemically, urinary stones are of two types, namely, primary and secondary stones. Primary stones are ordinarily not due to infection and are formed in acidic urine. They usually result from alcoholism, sedentary lifestyle, constipation and excessive intake of nitrogenous or purine-rich foods. Purine, a nitrogenous compound, is the end product in the digestion of certain proteins in the diet, and majority is synthesised in the body through metabolic processes. Secondary stones are due to local infection and are formed in alkaline urine.

4.       Most kidney stones are composed of either calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate, the latter being most common in the presence of infection. About 90% of all stones contain calcium as the chief constituent. More than half of these are mixtures of calcium, ammonium, magnesium, phosphates and carbonates, while the remainder contain oxalate. Uric acid and cystine (sulphate) stones represent about 4% and 1% respectively of the total incidence of stones.

Causes of Kidney Stones

5.       Diets rich in proteins, especially from animal products, low dietary intake of potassium and magnesium, sedentary lifestyle and high blood pressure can be the cause of kidney stones. The other causes are the wrong diets, foods high in oxalates, excess intake of acid forming foods, white flour, sugar and sugar products, meat, tea, coffee, condiments and spices, rich junk and fried foods, overeating and insufficient water intake.

6.       Kidney stones are also common among those who sweat excessively. Extreme water loss in strenuous sports or running can cause the urine to become too concentrated and lead to stone formation. Lack of vitamin A and an excessive intake of sunshine vitamin D may also lead to formation of stones.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

7.       Kidney stones usually cause severe pain in their attempt to pass down the ureter on their way to the bladder. The pain is first felt in the side and thereafter in the groin and thighs. Occasionally, large stones may remain in the kidneys without causing any trouble and these are known as “silent stones”. Other symptoms of painful kidney stones include: –

(i) acute pain in the upper or lower back, testicles, groin or legs that won’t go away and is usually aggravated with motion; (ii) strong smelling and/or cloudy urine from proteins and other deposits; (iii) burning and/or painful feeling during urination; (iv) frequent urge for urination; (v) scanty urination; (vi) blood in urine; (vii) fever and chills; (viii) lethargy; (ix) nausea/vomiting; (x) brittle hair and nails; (xi) desire for salt; (xii) thirst.

Traditional Treatment for Kidney Stones

8.       Traditionally kidney stones have been treated with medications to help dissolve them or remove them with surgery. Most recently lithotripsy (sound waves) therapy has been used to blast apart, especially large stones, while they are still inside the body. However, here we are focusing only on Naturo-Food Therapy.

Naturo-food Diet Wisdom for Kidney Stones

9.       A majority of patients suffering from small kidney stones can be treated successfully by proper dietary control through Naturo-Food Therapy which should be the first line of defence. This will also prevent a recurrence of the ailment. Only a handful of cases may require medications or surgery.

FOODS THAT IRRITATE THE KIDNEYS

10.     The patient should avoid foods which irritate the kidneys, control acidity or alkalinity of the urine and ensure adequate intake of fluids to prevent the urine from becoming concentrated. The foods considered irritants to the kidneys are alcoholic beverages, condiments, pickles, certain vegetables like cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, spinach, rhubarb, watercress and those with strong aroma such as asparagus, onions, beans, cabbage and cauliflower, meat, gravies and carbonated drinks.

FOODS AND CALCIUM-PHOSPHATE STONES

11.     For controlling the formation of calcium phosphate stones, a moderately low calcium and phosphorus diet should be taken. The intake of calcium and phosphates should be restricted to minimum levels consistent with maintaining nutritional adequacy. The daily maintenance level of calcium is 680 mg and of phosphorus 1000 mg. In this diet milk should constitute the main source of calcium and curd or cottage cheese, whole lentils and whole groundnuts should form the main sources of phosphorus. Foods which should be avoided are whole wheat flour, Bengal grain (kala chana), peas, soyabeans, beets, spinach, cauliflower, turnips, carrots, almonds and coconuts.

FOODS AND CALCIUM-MAGNESIUM/PHOSPHATES/CARBONATE STONES

12.     When stones are composed of calcium and magnesium phosphates and carbonates, the diet should be so regulated as to maintain an acidic urine. In such a diet, only half a litre of milk, two servings of fruit and two serving of vegetables (only 200 gms) should be taken. The vegetables may consist of asparagus, fresh green peas, squash, pumpkins, turnips, cauliflower, cabbage and tomatoes. For fruits, watermelon, grapes, peaches, pineapple, papayas and guavas may be taken.

FOODS FOR CALCIUM-OXALATE/URIC ACID STONES

13.     On the other hand, urine should be kept alkaline if oxalate and uric acid stones are being formed. In this diet alkaline fruits and vegetables should be liberally consumed and acid forming foods should be kept to the minimum necessary for satisfactory nutrition. When the stones contain oxalates, foods with high oxalic acid content should be avoided. Also avoid sweets, fried foods, colas, ice cream, pickles, spices, sauces etc. Although most plant foods contain some oxalate but this usually amounts to only 2% of the total body oxalates, the rest are endogenous, being produced internally by the body as part of metabolism. A recent study found that only eight foods cause increase in urinary oxalate – spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, tea/coffee, wheat bran and strawberries. Other less oxalate-rich foods to be consumed in moderation include aubergines, cabbage, asparagus, French beans, tomatoes, greens, parsley, peppers, potatoes, radish, soyabeans, lady finger, sweet potatoes, cocoa, plums, oranges, dried fruit (except raisins), cherries.

14.     Uric stones occur in patients who have an increased uric acid in the blood and increased uric acid excretion in the urine. Since uric acid is an end product of purine (nitrogenous compound) metabolism, foods with a high purine content should be avoided. Purine-rich and acidic foods to be avoided include non-vegetarian foods such as red meat, chicken, organ meats like that of kidneys/liver/ brain, eggs, alcohol including beer, soft cola drinks, all canned, refined, processed and fried foods, white flour (maida), bread and sugar.

 

15.     Purine-rich and acidic foods to be consumed in moderation by uric stone-prone patients include grains, legumes, lentils especially chick peas, urad dal, barley, corn, rice, beans, oatmeal, tomatoes, peas, cauliflower, aubergines, mushrooms, lady finger, asparagus, spinach, bananas, guavas, pomegranate, milk products like curd and cheese, tea/coffee especially with sugar, chocolates, nuts except almonds, cakes and confectionary.

 

some Beneficial Foods for Kidney Stone Problems

16.     Beneficial foods include barley, whole moong, pomegranate without seeds, carrot juice, watermelon, grape juice, wine in moderation, lemon juice (not peel), papaya, olive oil, whey, butter milk, figs, raisins, skimmed milk, avocados, bananas, broccoli, prunes, mangoes, mint, water in green coconut.

 

Nutritional Blockbusters that fight Kidney Stones

17.     The blockbusters include the following: –

 

(i)      Water – One of the most effective ways of preventing kidney stones is to drink at least 2½ -3 litres of water/fluids (more if you exercise and in hot weather) daily. Water helps to keep the urine diluted and washes out potential stone-causing particles from the body. Water also prevents calcium, oxalates, phosphates and uric acid from turning into crystals. Water helps to drain out the sludge and small stones and keeps the ph of urine under control.

(ii)     Calcium – Because most kidney stones contain calcium, doctors once recommended eating fewer dairy products and other dietary sources of calcium. Recent studies found that the people with the highest intake of dietary calcium are actually less likely to develop kidney stones. When you eat high-calcium foods with high oxalate foods, the calcium keeps your body from absorbing the oxalate.

However, don’t load up on calcium supplements – you might actually increase your risk of calcium-based kidney stones. Natural sources of calcium include skimmed milk, butter milk (lassi), broccoli, peanuts, rajmah, kabli chana, sardines, figs.

(iii)    Potassium – High potassium intake could cut your risk of kidney stones by half as this mineral reduces the amount of calcium in your urine. Potassium helps the kidneys retain calcium in the bones and blood stream, instead of driving it into the urine to form stone crystals. Practically all fruits and vegetables contain potassium especially bananas, avocados, figs, broccoli, beans, cauliflower and potatoes.

(iv)    Vitamin B6 and Magnesium – Recent evidence has appeared to link vitamin B6 and magnesium deficiency with some kidney stones. Vitamin B6 helps control the body’s production of oxalic acid and increases oxalate excretion. Magnesium helps increase the solubility of oxalates in the urine. Both factors are important in preventing calcium oxalate stones, which are by far the most common. Good sources of vitamin B6 include wheat bran, wheat germ, oats, meat, poultry, eggs, avocado, bananas, brown rice, cabbage, green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, molasses. Foods rich in magnesium include fish, milk, yoghurt, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, avocado, wheat, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, seeds, peanuts, almonds, tofu.

(v)     Plant Protein – A high intake of animal protein may be to blame for a higher incidence of kidney stones in Western countries. Animal protein is also a major source of purines, which can increase the risk of uric acid stones. Better solution is to get your protein from plant sources. Plant-based proteins are easy to breakdown in the body, but they are incomplete proteins individually. To create a complete protein from plant sources, combine foods from at least two of the following three groups at a single meal:

          Legumes including dry beans, peas, soyabeans, tofu, peanut butter

Grains including wholegrains (barley, oats, rice, wheat, rye), corn, pasta

Nuts, Seeds including almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds.

(vi)    Citric Acid – If you are drinking glass after glass of water to help avoid kidney stones, fill one up with some lemon juice. A high level of urinary citrate may lower your risk of kidney stones. Not just any citrus juice will do! Lemon juice has about 5 times more citric acid than orange juice. And studies have found that drinking grapefruit juice may actually increase your risk of kidney stones.

Home Remedies for Kidney Stone Patients

18.     The following remedies may help remove small stones and/or stop their formation:

(i)      Watermelon Seeds – About 15 gms of watermelon seeds (without shells), well grinded and mixed with water and crystalline sugar (misri) to taste taken every morning after breakfast for four days consecutively, may expel small sized kidney stones. An occasional intake of this home prepared drink can reduce the chances of reformation of stones.

(ii)     Kidney Beans – Kidney beans, also known as French beans are regarded as a very effective remedy for kidney problems, including kidney stones. Remove the beans from inside the bean pods, then slice the pods and put about 60 gms of sliced pods in four litres of hot water, boiling slowly for four hours. This liquid should be strained through fine muslin and then allowed to cool for about eight hours. Thereafter, the fluid should be poured through another piece of muslin without stirring. A glassful of this decoction should be taken every two hours through the day and thereafter, freshly prepared decoction may be taken several times a week.

(iii)    Vine Leaves – Take 60 gms of fresh vine leaves and make tea from them. Drink three cups daily and this may dissolve stones.

(iv)    Watermelon Juice – If vine leaves are not available, make six litres of water melon juice. (Use the entire watermelon, including green parts, but not the skin or seeds). Boil down to three litres and drink all of it in small quantities in one day. Have a cold sitz bath before going to bed (for vine leaves remedy also) and on rising, take the juice of one lemon in a cup of hot water.

(v)     Dandelion – Boil 1 tablespoon of dandelion herb in 500 ml of water until 125 ml is left. Prepare equal amounts (75 ml) of juices each from carrots, spinach, celery, cucumber and grapes to make 375 ml. Mix this 375 ml juice with the reduced 125 ml dandelion water and the juice of a lemon. Drink 1½ litres of this freshly made decoction daily at regular intervals.

(vi)    Rice Bran – Less than two tablespoons of rice bran with breakfast and dinner protected 60% of the people in a Japanese study from new kidney stones. And the group as a whole, formed fewer stones than before the study. Doctors think rice bran reduces how much calcium your body absorbs through the intestines.

(vii)   Basil (Tulsi) – Basil has a strengthening effect on the kidneys. In case of kidney stones, basil juice and honey should be taken for six months. It has been found that stones can be expelled from the urinary tract with this treatment.

(viii)  Celery – Celery is also a valuable food for those who are prone to stone formation in the kidneys or the gall bladder. Its regular use prevents future stone formation.

(ix)    Yogasanas – Certain Yogasanas such as pavanmuktasana, uttanpadasana, bhujangasana, dhannurasana and halasana are also highly beneficial as they stimulate the kidneys.

Some Dietary and Other Precautions for Kidney Patients

19.     The following guidelines will prove beneficial for kidney stone patients in addition to Nutritional Blockbusters and other suitable foods described earlier: –

(i)      Avoid Animal Fat/Food – All animal protein – red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and milk products – drives the kidneys to overwork, gradually decreasing their filtering ability. Animal foods increase uric acid level and pulls out calcium from the bones to be excreted in the urine, where it could form stones with other salts.

(ii)     Reduce or Eliminate Salt Intake – Salt encourages the loss of calcium through the kidneys and adds to your risk of stones. Avoid all canned and processed foods, pickles etc which are loaded with salt.

(iii)    Cut Down on Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates – Diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates increase calcium in the urine (by simulating insulin secretion) and decrease magnesium reabsorption, creating an imbalance between calcium and magnesium, leading to kidney stones.

(iv)    Increase Fibre Intake – Moderately high-fibre diets composed of unrefined carbohydrates lowers excess calcium in the urine and reduce the chances of stone formation.

(v)     Pass Urine Soon after Every Meal – This will reduce the chances of stone formation.

(vi)    Say Goodbye to Sedentary Lifestyle – Be active, keep fidgeting, do daily exercise and get out of the habit of sedentary life.

Santokh Singh Parmar

Naturo-Food Therapist & Lifestyle Consultant

Mobile: +91(0) 9815922330

Websites: www.naturofoodtherapy.org & www.foodtherapy.org

October 2008

Note: The above information and advice and indicative remedies are not a substitute for the advice, your doctor or naturo-food therapist may give you based on his/her knowledge of yourself.