Kidney stones.When you possess them, there can be no error. They create a quick onset of acute, piercing pain that will probably bring you to the hospital emergency room. In fact, kidney stones rank among the most prevalent urological issues in the US.
Many research have been conducted to determine the origin of kidney stones, and one such study recently found that too much zinc may be a contributing factor in the development of the hard, jagged clumps of crystallized minerals that accumulate in the kidneys.
The Research
The research that established a connection between too much zinc and kidney stone development was published in the academic journal PLOS ONE. Lead researcher Thomas Chi, MD, an assistant professor of medicine in the UCSF Department of Urology, looked at how zinc affected fruit flies in this study. Fruit flies are the ideal model to research the causes and effects of kidney stones because, contrary to popular belief, they form stones that resemble those produced by humans.
The researchers looked at interactions between zinc, oxalate, calcium, and other minerals that are present in kidney stones in both humans and fruit flies in the study, which also included the Buck Institute of Aging and the Children’s Hospital of Oakland Research Institute.
According to the study’s findings, zinc intake increased with changes in oxalate levels in the urine, which are known risk factors for the occurrence of kidney stones. Surprisingly, the amounts of oxalate also decreased as the zinc levels did.
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Kidney Stones Are More Common Now
In the United States, kidney stones are more common in people than they were thirty years ago. According to estimates, 9 percent of women and 19 percent of men will get kidney stones throughout their lifetime.
The cause includes dehydration, excessive or insufficient activity, bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, and/or consuming foods with high quantities of salt and sugar. Family history and infections are additional factors that can influence the development of stones.
According to Dr. Chi, there is a 50% chance that a second kidney stone may form within five years of the first one. He also pointed out that it has been more than 25 years since a new kidney stone prevention drug was created, and that drug is only partially effective.
The Consequences
According to the findings of this fruit fly study, people should consume less zinc to help avoid the formation of kidney stones. Speak with your healthcare provider to learn about further measures you may take to lessen your risk of having this urinary problem if you think you may be at risk for it.
