Magnesium reduces kidney stone riskEffect of magnesium oxide or citrate supplements on metabolic risk factors in kidney stone formers with idiopathic hyperoxaluria: a randomized clinical trial.
Highly relevant for kidney stone treatment
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to explore how magnesium treatments influence kidney stones, specifically for those with high levels of oxalate in their urine. Our study involved 90 participants with a history of calcium kidney stones, all of whom were experiencing idiopathic hyperoxaluria. They were divided into three groups receiving either magnesium oxide (MgO), magnesium citrate (MgCit), or a placebo for eight weeks, while their diets were monitored to keep nutritional intake consistent.
After the treatment period, we observed promising results. Both MgO and MgCit effectively reduced the excretion of oxalate in urine, which is a key factor in kidney stone formation. The Group taking magnesium citrate showed even more significant reductions in both oxalate levels and the calcium oxalate supersaturation index, which measures the concentration of stone-forming minerals in urine. This was notably true for participants with normal magnesium levels.
Overall, we found that magnesium supplements might play a beneficial role in decreasing critical risk factors for kidney stones, especially for those using magnesium citrate. It's encouraging to see that this may offer a practical option for those struggling with recurrent stones due to high oxalate excretion.
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Vitamin D may lower kidney stonesMultivitamins co-intake can reduce the prevalence of kidney stones: a large-scale cross-sectional study.
Study highlights multifactorial vitamin effects
We explored the connection between vitamin D and kidney stones by analyzing data from a large national health survey. Our goal was to understand whether increasing vitamin D intake could help reduce the prevalence of kidney stones, a painful condition affecting many people.
From our investigation, we observed that higher levels of vitamin D intake were linked to a lower likelihood of experiencing kidney stones. Specifically, those with high vitamin D intake showed a significant protective effect compared to those with lower intake levels. This suggests that vitamin D may play a beneficial role in kidney health.
However, our study also revealed some nuances. While vitamin D seemed to provide protection, the relationship with vitamin C intake was more complicated. As vitamin C intake rose, its effects shifted—initially protective but later potentially harmful if consumed in excess.
Additionally, our findings indicated that when vitamin D is taken alongside other vitamins, the protective effects against kidney stones could be enhanced. Overall, co-exposure to multiple vitamins was seen as beneficial, making vitamin combinations an interesting area for further research.
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We analyzed how magnesium levels in urine might influence the occurrence of kidney stones. The study involved a mix of 468 patients who had been diagnosed with various types of urinary stones and underwent a detailed 24-hour urine analysis.
Our investigation found that 24-hour urinary magnesium was positively associated with both kidney stones and stones in multiple locations. Specifically, higher levels of magnesium corresponded with increased risk for these conditions. This relationship was particularly interesting because magnesium was highly correlated with another mineral, urinary phosphorus.
On the flip side, we also identified that 24-hour urinary creatinine acted as a protective factor against kidney and ureter stones, suggesting that maintaining adequate creatinine levels could potentially help prevent these types of stones. Additionally, eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) was noted as a risk factor especially for ureter stones and those that appear in multiple locations.
Ultimately, our study underscores that while magnesium is linked to stone formation, there are other contributing factors at play as well. This knowledge could guide improvements in dietary or medicinal strategies aimed at preventing kidney stones, especially emphasizing the need for a balanced intake of minerals in our diets.
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Magnesium's role in kidney stonesOral supplementation with probiotics, potassium citrate, and magnesium in reducing crystalluria in stone formers: A phase II study.
Limited insights on magnesium alone
We analyzed a study focused on the effects of a combination of probiotics, potassium, and magnesium on kidney stone formation, specifically looking at crystalluria, which is the presence of crystals in urine that can signal the recurrence of kidney stones. The study involved 23 patients with calcium oxalate kidney stones who had crystalluria but normal metabolic profiles.
Over the course of 20 days, the patients received daily supplementation with beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium breve, along with potassium citrate and magnesium. After treatment, we observed a decrease in the presence of crystalluria at multiple follow-up points—1, 3, 6, and 12 months later.
Interestingly, while we noted that the probiotics and other agents helped reduce crystalluria, the study did not isolate the specific effects of magnesium alone. Therefore, we must be cautious in drawing firm conclusions about magnesium’s standalone effectiveness in this context.
Overall, the findings suggest that combining these supplements can be beneficial for patients with kidney stones, but the role of magnesium specifically requires further investigation.
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Magnesium improves urine levelsMagnesium Supplementation Increases Urine Magnesium and Citrate in Stone Formers With Hypomagnesuria.
Study relevant to kidney stones
We aimed to find out how magnesium affects urinary levels of magnesium and citrate in people who form kidney stones and have low magnesium in their urine. By examining medical records, we compared two approaches: one group increased their magnesium through foods, while the other group received magnesium supplements.
We focused on adult patients whose urine magnesium levels were less than 70 mg a day. Following our recommendations, we observed significant changes after both dietary increases and supplementation. Those who took magnesium supplements showed a more pronounced improvement—about 88% were able to raise their urine magnesium to at least 70 mg a day, compared to just 58% in the dietary group.
Interestingly, only the supplement group showed a noticeable increase in urine citrate levels, which is also crucial in the prevention of kidney stones. Overall, both dietary and supplemental magnesium effectively improved magnesium levels, but supplementation had greater success in achieving desirable levels.
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