Kidney stones: calcium rich

A diet rich in calcium reduces the risk of kidney stones.

"Because the majority of stones contain calcium and because hypercalciuria (too much calcium) has been associated with the formation of stones, calcium restriction has been routinely recommended for patients who have kidney stones. However, we are unaware of any data that demonstrate that restriction of calcium intake reduces the recurrence of kidney stones," say the researchers.

The calcium rich foods offering the best protection against kidney stones are skim or low fat milk, and cottage or ricotta cheese. Calcium supplements were not found to have the same effect. "Nondairy sources of calcium such as oranges and broccoli also appeared to be protective," says the researchers. They found that a high intake of animal protein was "directly associated" with the risk of kidney stones.

Related WDDTY Content

Kidney stones

The link with your environment Kidney stones are thought to be caused by family heredity or too much calcium. But climate, many unlikely foods, certai...

Low down on low fat milk

For years, low-fat cow’s milk has been enthusiastically promoted as the perfect health drink, providing adults with ‘essential’ vitamins and minerals,...

Low-down on low-fat milk

For years, low-fat cow’s milk has been enthusiastically promoted as the perfect health drink, providing adults with ‘essential’ vitamins and minerals,...

Kidney stones

Q-My mother, aged 85, has one or two kidney stones lodged in one kidney. She has been to see a urologist, who advised her that lithotripsy is not suit...

Kidney stones

Q:Although most of your articles are interesting and informative, I have found that the subject that concerns me kidney stones has received little att...

The best calcium supplements

They’re touted as an insurance policy against osteoporosis, but which offers the best payoff? We almost learn it at our mother’s knee: calcium is good...