When solid masses composed of minerals and salts form inside the kidneys, they are known as kidney stones or nephrolithiasis. These stones can cause intense discomfort when they move into the urinary tract, leading to complications if not promptly addressed.
The pain associated with kidney stones is often compared to childbirth in terms of intensity and is described as one of the most excruciating forms of pain. This severe pain typically occurs in the back or side, accompanied by symptoms like blood in the urine, nausea, and frequent urination.
Living with kidney stones significantly impacts daily life, limiting the ability to perform routine activities and affecting overall well-being. Recurrent episodes of kidney stones can lead to chronic discomfort and anxiety about future stone formation. If left untreated, kidney stones can result in serious health issues like kidney damage, infections, and even end-stage renal disease, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Causes of Kidney Stone Formation
Kidney stones affect approximately 9.25% of the U.S. adult population, with men being more likely to develop them than women. The prevalence of kidney stones increases with age, particularly in individuals over 70 years old, with non-Hispanic Caucasians showing the highest rates.
Traditional treatments for kidney stones focus on managing symptoms and preventing recurrence through pain relief medications and dietary adjustments. However, these treatments have limitations, such as medication side effects, and stones may recur despite lifestyle changes.
The financial impact of kidney stones on the healthcare system is significant, with costs reaching up to 9 billion dollars annually. Addressing the factors contributing to kidney stone formation is crucial to prevent adverse outcomes and reduce the overall impact on individuals and society.
The primary risk factors for kidney stones include low fluid intake, a high-salt diet, and metabolic conditions like hypertension, which alter the chemical environment in the kidneys. Imbalances in minerals and salts in the urine lead to the crystallization of substances like calcium oxalate, forming stones. Dietary factors like high oxalate intake and low calcium consumption, genetic predispositions, and medical conditions like hyperparathyroidism also increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
Bacteria Influence Kidney Stone Formation
A recent study revealed that an imbalance in the kidney microbiota due to antibiotic use is a major risk factor for kidney stones. Researchers found that antibiotics affect the unique microbiome of the kidneys, influencing the formation of kidney stones, particularly calcium oxalate crystallization.
The study used advanced imaging techniques to show the presence of bacteria in the kidneys and how antibiotics disrupt the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria. The researchers discovered that Lactobacillus crispatus played a protective role against kidney stone formation by inhibiting calcium oxalate crystallization, while pathogenic E. coli promoted stone growth.
Disruptions in the kidney microbiome caused by antibiotics create an environment conducive to stone formation by reducing beneficial bacteria and allowing harmful bacteria to proliferate. Good antibiotic stewardship and the development of targeted bacteriotherapies are needed to prevent lithogenesis.
Antibiotic Use and Kidney Stone Risk
Prior studies have linked antibiotic use to increased rates of kidney stones, particularly in children. Oral antibiotics have been identified as a risk factor for kidney stones, with certain classes of antibiotics associated with higher odds of stone formation. This association is most pronounced among younger children and can persist for years after antibiotic exposure.
Data also suggest that kidney stones are becoming more prevalent in teenage girls, with increased antibiotic use in early life and high-ultraprocessed food diets contributing to this trend. Unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in the U.S. are considered a leading factor in the rise of children developing kidney stones.
Tasian pointed out that the earlier kidney stones develop in a person, the more time they have to develop a more severe form of the disease and long-term health issues associated with it. Some of the consequences include loss of kidney function, decreased bone mineral density leading to fractures, and a higher risk of heart disease in adulthood.
The study highlighted the effects of antibiotics on the kidney microbiota, showing that short-term use led to temporary disruptions that recovered after treatment, while prolonged exposure favored stone-promoting bacteria. The research also identified age-dependent microbial signatures in human kidneys, suggesting that the kidney microbiome evolves over time and influences the risk of non-infectious kidney diseases.
Maintaining a healthy microbiome is crucial for preventing kidney stones, as beneficial bacteria help break down oxalates that contribute to stone formation. Strategies to lower the risk include optimizing carbohydrate intake, maintaining adequate protein consumption, enhancing cellular energy production, avoiding processed foods and vegetable oils, and considering the use of DMSO for treatment.
Oxalates found in many plant foods can lead to kidney stones when combined with calcium, forming sharp crystals that accumulate and cause damage. Everyone should be mindful of high-oxalate foods and remove them from their diet to prevent kidney stone formation. Additionally, addressing metabolic inflexibility is important for maintaining gut health and allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive and digest oxalate crystals. El dióxido de carbono luego ayuda a retener el entorno de bajo oxígeno en su intestino, permitiendo que estos organismos primitivos prosperen y apoyen su salud.
A través de una difusión pasiva simple, los cristales son liberados y terminan en su intestino donde el Oxalobacter continúa digiriéndolos hasta que los problemas de toxicidad por oxalato desaparecen.
Para ponerlo en términos simples, necesita optimizar su flexibilidad metabólica para mantener un entorno de bajo oxígeno en su intestino y permitir que las bacterias de Oxalobacter reduzcan radicalmente el nivel de oxalatos en sus tejidos.
Aparte de ser cauteloso con el uso de antibióticos, creo que esta es la cura definitiva para la mayoría de los cálculos renales. Es mucho más eficiente y efectivo que el enfoque convencional para esta condición de salud común, ya que va directamente a la causa raíz del problema. Para obtener más información sobre este tema, lea “Los cálculos renales en niños están volviéndose más prevalentes: aquí está por qué y cómo combatirlos”.