Kidney Stones and Calcium Supplements
I have had a lot of patients asking about their risk of developing kidney stones if they are taking calcium supplementation. It is a myth that most people prone to kidney stones should avoid calcium. Getting the recommended daily intake of calcium often helps prevent kidney stones. Most stones contain calcium, usually combined with oxalates, compounds found in many plant foods. Paradoxically, calcium binds with the oxalates in the intestine and decreases there absorption, thus reducing the formation of these types of stones. But people with other types of stones may indeed reduce their chances of recurrence by cutting down on calcium. So if you get stones, it is best to know exactly the type you have/had and what dietary changes would be best.
