There are often many misconceptions about the CAUSE of kidney stones. People do not always realize that they can take steps to prevent them. Kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate crystals, uric acid crystals or a combination of both.
Calcium oxalates are not due to an over consumption of calcium. They result from either poor fat digestion or excessive consumption of coffee, tea (even decaf), carbonated beverages or greater than 60 mg a day of ascorbic acid (synthetic vitamin C). It helps to limit saturated fats in the diet and eat plenty of raw foods that contain plant enzymes to help digest fat. A person can also supplement with fat digesting plant enzyme capsules. Friendly bacteria such as acidophilus found in yogurt helps pull calcium oxalates out of the intestines and helps reduce the production of calcium oxalate kidney stones.
Uric acid crystals form as a result of poor protein digestion. So, plant enzymes that digest protein help reduce uric acid crystal formation and prevent kidney stones. Also, uric acid crystals are more likely to form if a person eats high amounts of meat or uses excessive alcohol.
Use of raw foods helps provide plant enzymes naturally. People who are prone to kidney stone formation are wise to reduce meat, limit ascorbic acid, use acidophilus, and drink mostly water. Due to our fast paced lives, we can't always eat a raw foods diet. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to supplement with plant enzymes and thereby prevent kidney stone formation.
