Expert: Tonja Wells - 7/10/2007

Question
My husband has recurring kidney stones (calcium), I asked his urologist if there was medication that could help prevent and he gave me a vitamin/mineral supplement named TheraLithXR which the main ingredients are Magnesium (Oxide & Citrate) 180mg, Potassium (Citrate) 99mg and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) 7.5mg  The dosage is 2 tabs twice a day with meals.  The cost of this supplement will be around $20 for a month supply.  2 questions:  Is there another supplement on the market that is comparable and will my husband need to take this the rest of his life to prevent kidney stones?

Answer
These herbs historically have been know to help with kidney stones.
Hydrangea to break them down.
Marshmallow to help with pain and inflamation.
Foods which are good would be extra virgin olive oil and organic raw apple cider vinegar.

Here is some info I put together a while back on Kindey Stones:
KIDNEY STONES

1.   It can also be deposits of organic calcium that the body is not able to take out of a dense form to utilize due to digestive stress and lack of HCL. Calcium can be hard on the kidneys when it is not being passed across the intestinal membrane and this makes it high in the blood. This is caused by a magnesium deficiency. On the average we get 7 times more calcium intake than magnesium so this is the most important mineral to supplement with, not adding more calcium contrary to popular belief.  

2.   Also, phosphorus draws calcium out and into the blood and into the urine to be excreted. This can be caused by soda or carbonation. Too much acid instigates this as a result of a poor diet.

3.   Another factor is dairy consumption with tannins will create stones. The astringents are high in tannins, like White Oak Bark. This in conjunction with dairy consumption.  

4.   Another factor is there is improper bile emulsification preventing fats from being absorbed. This is a requirement of calcium to bond with lipoproteins to be drawn through the intestinal membrane. If this is not happening then there is a calcium build up. Anterior pituitary is another concern if it is unable to control magnesium via hormonal control.


To learn more or to order these herbs to go
www.herbalhealthsolutions.4the.net
Tonja Wells, CNHP, NHC