Ongoing biochemical processing in your body produces acids as metabolic waste and byproducts. These acids are neutralized by buffers in your body and blood until they can be excreted by the kidneys into the urine. Renal tubular acidosis is a condition whereby your body cannot efficiently excrete metabolic acids, causing your body to become acidified. This acidification can lead to calcium loss from your bones as your body uses calcium carbonate to neutralize the acids.
About Renal Tubular Acidosis
There are four classifications of rental tubular acidosis: Type 1 RTA arises is the distal or far end of the kidneys tubules. Type 2 RTA arises at the proximal or near end. The near and far end of the kidney tubules filter out different waste and will have different urine test results. Type 3 RTA is a combination of Type 1 and Type 2 RTA. Type 4 RTA arises in conjunction with high potassium levels where the other 3 present with low levels. RTA can arise from genetic disorders, side effects of medications and many underlying medical disorders. If untreated, RTA can lead to severe health consequences including growth retardation, bone disease, kidney stones or kidney failure.
Calcium and Acidosis
Although calcium itself does not neutralize acids, it balances the negatively charged buffers, such as carbonate, which prevent acid levels from rising in the blood. An increase in the body's need for calcium can cause the loss of calcium from the bones. The rise in levels of calcium in the blood can increase the excretion of calcium in the urine and the risk of developing kidney stones.
Medical Treatment
Your doctor can prescribe medication to control acid levels in the blood and treat the underlying disorders causing RTA. Over-the-counter acid control supplements, such as calcium carbonate, will not help control acid levels in the blood, only the stomach. According to John Berardi Ph.D. and adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Austin, a diet high in fruits and vegetables and with controlled intake of meats, carbohydrates and dairy may lower the acid load on your body.
Acid and Diet
Constituents of foods including protein, carbohydrates and mineral salts can become acid or alkaline when metabolized, placing additional load on the body's system to buffer acids. Foods including meats, cheese, dairy, eggs and grain-based products produce acids when metabolized. Most fruits and vegetables are alkaline when metabolized and reduce the body's acid load. Fats and simple sugars have minimal effect on acid load. Eat fruits and vegetables at every meal to help control the amount of acid your body and medication have to deal with while being treated for RTA.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Renal Tubular Acidosis; Oct. 2008
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library; Disorders of Nutrition and Metabolism; Acid-Base Balance; July 2008
- Precision Nutrition: Covering Your Nutritional Bases: The Importance of Acid-Base Balance; John M. Berardi PhD; January 13, 2008
Member Comments