Kidney stones can be extremely painful. Unfortunately, once you've had the first kidney stone, you are at a higher risk to develop another. According to Roger L. Sur, medical director of UC San Diego Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center, if you've had one stone there is a 50 percent chance that you will develop another stone within 5 to 10 years. Citrus juices, including lime juice, are one way to help prevent a second stone.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard, solid compounds that form in the kidney from minerals and acids. There are four major types: calcium, struvite, uric acid and cysteine stones. Calcium stones can combine with other minerals, usually oxalate, and are the most common type of kidney stone. Struvite stones contain magnesium and ammonia. Uric acid and cysteine stones result from a buildup of these substances in the urine.
Citrate and Kidney Stones
Citrate in the urine is a potent inhibitor of crystallization, the process by which kidney stones form, according to Jack M. Zuckerman and Dean G. Assimos of the Department of Urology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Low citrate is a metabolic abnormality found in 20 to 60 percent of people who form kidney stones. Genetic factors, medications and some medical disorders play a role in low citrate, and this condition should be managed through dietary changes, including citrus-based therapy.
Citric Acid
Citrus fruits such as limes contain citric acid. According to the March 2008 "Journal of Endourology," lime juice can be particularly helpful if you have a calcium-type stone. Up to 8 percent of the dry weight of lemons and limes is citric acid and they provide more citric acid than grapefruits or oranges. Citrate in the urine helps to inhibit crystal formation, which in turn helps to prevent kidney stones, and medical management of kidney stones includes the use of acidifying agents such as lime juice.
Limeade and Medication
One study that compared limeade with potassium citrate, the medication used to acidify the urine and prevent kidney stones, was reported in the August 2008 journal "Urological Research". The study found that the limeade was equally as effective as potassium citrate in acidifying the urine, and was also able to help repair damage to the structure of the kidney. Kidney stones are a condition that can recur and should not be self-managed. Citrus-based juices such as lime juice may be helpful in preventing recurrent stones. If you have questions or concerns, consult a health care professional.
References
- "Urological Research; Citraturic, Alkalinizing And Antioxidative Effects Of Limeade-Based Regimen In Nephrolithiasis Patients; P. Tosukhowong, et.al.; August 2008
- National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse; What I Need To Know About Kidney Stones; John Asplin, M.D., et.al.; September 2010
- "Journal of Endourology"; Quantitative Assessment of Citric Acid in Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, and Commercially-Available Fruit Juice Products; Kristina L. Penniston, M.D, et.al.; March 2008
- "Rev.Urol."; Hypocitraturia: Pathophysiology and Medical Management; Jack M Zuckerman, BS and Dean G Assimos, MD; Summer 2009
- University of California at San Diego; News Release: Five Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones: From Lemonade to Surgery; Jackie Carr; April 2010
Member Comments