Calcium Oxalate: Most Common Kidney Stone - Calcium Oxalate

What is calcium oxalate?
Calcium oxalate is the most common stone that crystallizes in the kidneys, and, in worst conditions even reaching up to the bladder. Calcium oxalate is a chemical compound that takes in the forms of sharp and narrow crystals. This compound separates from urine, and is not drained, which accumulates in the kidneys. It can be found in large quantities in rhubarb leaves, dumb cane, different species of oxalis, agaves, and in spinach.

Calcium oxalate as kidney stones
The kidney is one of the body's strainers for excess and waste products. Calcium oxalate is formed when excess calcium is stored in the kidneys. The composition of these calcium oxalate kidney stones is calcium and oxalate. Calcium oxalate stones may form in people with chronic inflammation of the bowel, those who underwent intestinal bypass operation, or ostomy surgery.

People who have calcium oxalate formations in their kidneys most usually will not have any symptoms, not until the calcium oxalate crystals partially obstruct the urinary tract. Some calcium oxalate stones are drained together with the urine and may not necessitate surgery. Doctors would advice patients who have calcium oxalate kidney stones to drink 2-3 quarts of liquids per day to dissolve calcium oxalate stones. Grapefruit and apple juices are not advised because somehow these substances foster the crystal formation.

In the past years, one known cure for calcium oxalate stones is cutting down on calcium intake. However, due to high importance of calcium our daily nutritional needs, this advice is no longer recommended.

Oxalate, on the other hand, is present in many food types so that it is quite common for us to be taking this element unconsciously each day. Some common foods high in oxalate are chocolates, tea (including the herbal kind), Worcestershire sauce, rhubarb, raspberries, soy sauce, peanuts and pecans, beer, juices made from berries and many more. Moreover, a diet high in sodium (salt) contributes to stone diseases. Sodium interacts with calcium in the kidneys, hence, adding more calcium in the urine. Sodium restriction may be one of the advices your physician will give you.

Also, a high protein diet causes large quantities of acid in the body, which in the long run augments calcium deposits in the kidneys. Whilst vitamin C is beneficial to most of us, this vitamin supplement (in the form of sodium ascorbate) has high oxalate content, thus, contributing to oxalate deposit.

Medical therapies for calcium oxalate kidney stones include diuretics, citrate, while magnesium is best added to the citrate intake to effectively wash off excess calcium. A visit to your urologist is still advised.