How not to get 'Stoned'

WE'VE all heard of kidney stones, gallstones and the ubiquitous Rolling Stones. Believe me, each one has a major effect upon bodily function. This week, however, I'll concentrate on the first two.

Kidney Stones:
The Americans reckon that close on a million men are diagnosed annually -so far I haven't been able to establish a figure for women. Statistics are moving lower and lower. Today it seems more western world cases are in the 20-40 year old group.

Kidney stones are hardened mineral deposits that develop inside the kidneys, and then begin a downstream trip through the ureter into the bladder. This trip is the one that is painful.

A recent Harvard study highlighted creating potassium levels to reduce calcium-predominant stone development risk. Bananas, potatoes, nectarines and a host of fresh produce provides this mineral (potassium) so check that your diet regularly includes these foods.

Supplementation of 100 mg magnesium three times daily seems to help keep calcium in solution mobilising it from the stone.

Now comes the question of Vitamin B6. Classically this vitamin has been associated in combination with magnesium at levels of about 100 mg twice daily and to this I would add 2 000 mg of organic flaxseed oil daily to cover the essential fatty acids of Omega 3 and Omega 6.
This combination has been known to help dissolve the physical area of stones that might have formed, or at worst, act as a preventative.

Lifestyle points:
• Cut down on meat intake - a British study shows that vegetarians have half the risk.
• Lower salt intake - excess sodium holds on to calcium crystals.
• Increase daily intake of plain filtered water - stones don't form so easily if urine is diluted. Filtered water is definitely preferable to tape water.

Gallstones:
Most gallstone patients are hearty eaters, fast lane performers and overweight. Both sexes are potentials.

Excess food intake puts a heavy burden on the digestive organs and once the ingested food exceeds the body's enzyme capacity the rest becomes undigested or partially digested. It is at this point that the bowel becomes toxic and gassy. Constipation or diarrhoea are promoted by the accumulation over time of these undigested particles.
Therapy is aimed at first flushing the gallbladder of its stones using olive oil - personally I prefer flaxseed oil. Start by consuming half a cup of oil plus the juice of a lemon 3 to 4 times a day.
However, first get your GP's blessing, because if the stones are too large severe pain could easily accrue.

A daily nutritional back-up programme that can help in the initial arrestment of gallbladder problems includes, beta carotene 30mg; Vitamin B complex 75mg; Vitamin B6 200mg; Vitamin C 5000mg; Vitamin E 1000mg; flaxseed oil capsules 3000mg.

Topping up the friendly bacterial populations of the small and large intestine is also worthwhile. Use lactobacillus acidophilus and bifido.

Consult your medical practitioner before self medicating.