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Calcium and Kidney Stones
Danger
in Atkins-type diets?
The medical scientists noted
that increased intake of
calcium in foods,
potassium
and liquids reduce
kidney stone formation. And, that calcium pills, salt, animal protein and
sugar may increase the risk.
However, no studies have
been done in younger women (27-44 years of age.) They analyzed the Nurses
Health Study ll, which has 92,245 participants both to focus on this age
group and to determine critically the contradiction of the different forms
of calcium. And, to nail down the effects of dietary phytates*. The latter
are expressly reduced or eliminated in Atkins-type diets. The researchers
were not apparently, specifically aiming at the diets but rather desiring
to determine the facts. Atkins-type diets
reduce carbohydrate foods, the source of the phytate
component.
"Conclusions:
A higher intake of
dietary calcium 'in
foods] decreases the risk of
kidney stone
formation in women, but
supplemental calcium 'in pills] is not associated with risk...Finally,
dietary phytate
may be a new, important, and safe addition to our options for stone
prevention." Emphases added.
*Also
called phytic acid.
In:
Archives of Internal Medicine, vol. 164. 2004. By: Curhan, Willett, Knight
& Stampfer, Channing Lab. & Renal (Kidney) Division, Dept. of Med.,
Brigham & Women's Hosp., Boston, Mass.; Harvard Medical School, Boston.
DETAILS:
Phytates, apparently helpful in preventing kidney stones, are found in
grains, soy, and rice. Also, it appears that calcium pills, at least in
this connection are of no help, but taking in milk and milk products, are.
back to Harmful index

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