Anyone who suffers from cholelithiasis knows what unbearable pain sometimes causes tiny stones in the kidneys. These crystallizing minerals can travel from the kidneys to the ureters and bladder, and it is this "wandering" causes extreme discomfort. Anyone who has experienced this needs to urgently change their lifestyle and diet. And for those who, fortunately, do not have such a phenomenon, but who care about their health and want to play it safe, it does not hurt to learn about the unexpected causes of gallstone disease. estet-portal.com will now tell you in detail about them.
This is what causes kidney stones
While we spend the day off watching TV with a bottle of our favorite lemonade in hand, we can reproach ourselves for gaining a couple of extra pounds or grams, that our body will not receive a well-deserved portion of oxygen. But least of all, we are inclined to feel guilty before the kidneys, not even realizing that these habits of ours are also harmful to them. And then we wonder: where did the stones and the most unpleasant diagnosis of "cholelithiasis" come from. It turns out that there are many unexpected causes of this disease.
1. Calcium deficiency. Incredible but true: since calcium is the main "building material" of the most common and most dangerous, hardly soluble type of kidney stones — oxalates, in theory, calcium, or rather — products containing it should be limited. This is an erroneous opinion! The latest research in this area shows that those who consume enough calcium with food are much less likely to suffer from gallstone disease.
Oxalates are often the cause of cholelithiasis, which are found in large quantities in leafy vegetables and nuts. So that healthy food does not become harmful, you need to monitor its quantity: just do not abuse it. Measure is important in everything.
How is this possible?! — many will be surprised. It turns out that this is due to the fact that the absorption of oxalate from the gastrointestinal tract is reduced, which is associated with calcium "supplied" by to the body from food, and not with what is contained in the urine and usually turns into stones. So, dairy products — naturally, in reasonable quantities — can be included in the menu with a clear conscience.
2. Overindulgence in salads. Too much is bad in everything — even, paradoxically, in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. So, excessive passion for fresh vegetables can also lead to the occurrence of gallstone disease. And again, the reason for this is oxalates, which are found in abundance in leafy vegetables. The concentration in the urine of too much calcium salt compounds significantly increases the likelihood of developing the disease. Of course, no one calls for abandoning salads, especially since this is really an exceptionally healthy food. Just don't eat spinach every day. Replace it periodically with equally healthy white cabbage.
3. Overdo it with salt. Everyone knows about the dangers of salting, but not everyone is clearly aware of the fault of salt in the formation of stones. And just salt can help increase the amount of calcium excreted by the kidneys. Moreover, the fact that you do not add enough salt to homemade food does not mean that the problem with salt has been solved. After all, salt — a secret component of many processed foods: sausages, meat and fish dishes from the culinary departments, not to mention fast foods. Nutritionists insist: no more than 3-5 g of salt per day, and those suffering from hypertension — and even less. For example, in 1 teaspoon of salt without a slide — 7 g. And keep in mind that the 3-5 g of salt indicated by nutritionists also includes the salt that you consume with ready-made products, for example, with bread, herring, hard cheese…
4. Too few citrus fruits. Everyone knows about the benefits of ascorbic acid in strengthening immunity, fighting a cold or being overweight. Let's add one more award to citrus fruits: for the selfless fight against gallstone disease. Citrate, sourced from citrus peels, prevents the accumulation of dangerous sediments in the urine. Published in the journal Nature, the results of the research are unequivocal: the introduction of citrus fruits into the menu can reduce the amount of harmful compounds in the urine responsible for the appearance of kidney stones in a month.
5. Meat diet. Bad news for meat-eaters: even white, even red, but meat in abundance does not add health to the kidneys. According to studies, vegetarians have a significantly lower risk of gallstone disease. Without calling for a complete rejection of meat, doctors recommend limiting its consumption and making sure that the diet contains enough foods containing magnesium (buckwheat, legumes, millet, parsley, watermelons, apples, bananas…).
6. Sugary carbonated drinks do not add health to anyone, but people who are prone to kidney stones should beware of various sodas like fire. According to studies, those who consume a daily bottle of carbonated drink increase the dubious happiness of developing gallstone disease by 23%. Note that this is just one of a long list of adverse health effects of soda consumption.
7. Iced tea came to us "from over the hill", but it would be better if it stayed there. Experts at Loyola University Medical Center talk about the high content of oxalates in this refreshing drink, urging you to turn to it as little as possible. Mindful of the involvement of dehydration in the formation of stones, doctors advise drinking more, but only non-carbonated mineral water. If you really want tea, then, firstly, warm, and secondly, green — it perfectly quenches thirst, it is exceptionally good for health.
8. Laxative , alas, is not as harmless as it may seem to those who often use it in the hope of getting rid of toxins, losing weight. Abuse of laxatives can interfere with the body's ability to absorb nutrients, disturb electrolyte balance, which can lead to gallstone disease.
9. Nuts. A shock, of course, since we are used to nuts — extremely useful product. But excessive love for them is fraught with kidney stones. You need to be especially careful with peanuts, cashews, almonds, which contain a lot of oxalates. It is not worth excluding nuts from the menu at all, you just need to limit their number.
10. Excess weight significantly increases the risk of gallstone disease. Scientists have not yet been able to determine why this happens. It is believed that extra weight somehow affects the urinary tract, which leads to the formation of stones.
11. Stress affects the entire body. The hormone vasopressin, which is actively released during anxiety, can cause gallstone disease.
12. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to an increase in calcium levels in the blood, which has negative consequences for the kidneys.
13. Warm climate. A funny phrase from a song in an old Soviet comedy film "But by the way, cold is good for health" does not seem so funny in the light of doctors' information that residents of warm countries are more likely to suffer from gallstone diseases than their northern neighbors. In addition, kidney problems are more common in summer, when the body does not have enough water. Another confirmation that clean water should be drunk as much as possible.
14. Sweets, among other things, hit the kidneys, as sugar promotes the formation of oxalic acid.
15. Spicy spices contain compounds that negatively affect the functioning of the genitourinary system. And if the composition of the seasoning includes monosodium glutamate — the same food additive E621 — it should be abandoned altogether.
Our body is rather fragile and sensitive, so it is hardly worth testing it for strength with an unhealthy lifestyle and malnutrition. And so that it would not be excruciatingly painful — and in the case of gallstone disease, this is not a figurative expression, but a statement of fact — you should be attentive to him, not indulging your bad habits. Sometimes health is only in our hands. You just need to want to be healthy. And make a little effort and willpower for this.
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