Calcium and Kidney Stones

Just read an article published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH.Gov). In the article they discussed Calcium supplementation and the increased risk of kidney stones.

 

Kidney stones in the urinary tract are most commonly composed of calcium oxalate. Some, but not all, studies suggest a positive association between supplemental calcium intake and the risk of kidney stones, and these findings were used as the basis for setting the calcium UL in adults. In the Women's Health Initiative, postmenopausal women who consumed 1,000 mg of supplemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D per day for 7 years had a 17% higher risk of kidney stones than subjects taking a placebo. The Nurses' Health Study also showed a positive association between supplemental calcium intake and kidney stone formation. High intakes of dietary calcium, on the other hand, do not appear to cause kidney stones and may actually protect against developing them. For most individuals, other risk factors for kidney stones, such as high intakes of oxalates from food and low intakes of fluid, probably play a bigger role than calcium intake

 

I just wanted to make a couple comments on this statement. When discussing the outcomes from the Women's Health Initiative they did not mention what dosage form of the “supplemental” calcium was used. I suspect it was primarily in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium acetate, or some other form derived from organic mineral sources. These organic sources have a positive “+” electromagnetic charge (Ca++). This is important to understand absorption of calcium into our cells. The cell wall of very cell in the body has an electromagnetic gradient i.e. they are positive on the outside and negative on the inside. Since 2 positive charges repel each other it is difficult for the Ca++ to absorb. To overcome this obstacle the amount of Calcium outside the cell has to be at much higher levels than the calcium inside the cell. This excess calcium then forms oxalates (kidney stones) by binding with the free negatively charged oxalates in the body. These calcium oxalates then combine together to form a kidney stone.

 

Plant derived colloidal calcium on the other hand has a negative charge. As such they are much more bio-available absorbing more easily into the cells and avoiding the problem of forming oxalates. That would also explain why dietary sources of calcium do not seem to cause kidney stones. Just a little more proof that we were meant to get our minerals from organic, plant derived sources and not inorganic, soil and clay sources.

 

Once again the Women's Health Initiative proves another of Doctor Wallach’s claims.

 

For more information on plant derived colloidal minerals and the “90 For Life” program contact

 

Keith Abell, RPh MI

http://TheRxForWealth.com