Your kidneys make up a component of your excretory system, designed to remove toxins and other waste products from your body through release in your urine. Each of your kidneys contains an extensive series of tubes and filtering units that help make sure beneficial nutrients remain in your blood, while harmful chemicals pass into your urine. Kidney blockages occur due to obstruction of the tubules in your kidneys, and can potentially lead to diminished kidney function. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, might play a small role in one type of kidney blockage if consumed in high amounts.
Possible Causes of Kidney Blockages
A kidney tubule blockage can occur for a number of possible reasons, only some of which might be related to vitamin C intake. In some cases, abnormal growth of kidney cells -- such as a benign or malignant tumor -- can block the tubules within the kidney, and potentially spread to the ureter and bladder. Another, less-deadly, cause of a kidney blockage is a kidney stone large enough to disrupt the movement of fluid through the kidney, or the flow of urine through the ureter and into the bladder.
Vitamin C and Kidney Stones
Vitamin C might potentially increase your risk of a kidney blockage due to kidney stones. Your body continually breaks down vitamin C, giving off byproducts called metabolites. Among these metabolites is oxalate, a component of some types of kidney stones. Consuming very high levels of vitamin C can boost your blood oxalate levels, and potentially promote the development of kidney stones. If these stones are not passed into your urine, they might eventually reach sufficient size to block your kidneys. However, the Linus Pauling Institute says vitamin C presents only a mild risk factor for kidney stones, and might only significantly contribute to kidney stone development in individuals already prone to kidney stone development.
Preventing Kidney Blockages From Vitamin C
You can avoid even the marginal risk of developing a kidney blockage due to vitamin C by regulating your vitamin C intake. If you follow a nutritious diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, you likely already consume enough vitamin C and might not require additional vitamin C supplementation. The Linus Pauling Institute says consuming just five servings of these foods generally provides more than the recommended intake for most individuals. If you do wish to take vitamin C supplements, talk to your doctor about an appropriate dosage, and discuss the possible risk of kidney blockages if you have a family history of kidney stones.
Other Dietary Factors
In addition to your vitamin C intake, other nutrients obtained from your diet can contribute to kidney stones and blockages. Consuming a diet rich in protein can also increase your blood oxalate levels, and potentially increase your risk of kidney stones. Meat protein, such as red meat or poultry, appears to have a more potent effect on blood oxalate levels than plant-based proteins. Regulate your meat intake -- as well as your vitamin C intake -- to prevent high oxalate levels and reduce your risk of kidney blockages due to kidney stones.
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